Sam the Story Tram – Top 5 Tips

Reading                                        

  • It’s never too early to start reading to children.
  • Introduce children to a wide variety of books.
  • Repetition – reading the same book over and over again helps to form connections in the brain.
  • Reading stimulates imagination and helps children to learn about the world around them.

Singing

  • Listen to music together – in the car and at home.
  • Sing songs and nursery rhymes – use actions and puppets and toys to make it even more fun!
  • Pause and wait for your child to sing key words in a song they know well.
  • Check out Parent Child Mother Goose program together.

Talking

  • Everywhere you go, talk about what you see – notice, name and describe.
  • It’s never too early to start sharing stories and encourage talking.
  • Encourage your child to join in or finish phrases with stories they know well.
  • Play games like ‘I spy’, ‘peekaboo’ – make time for fun and connection.

Playing

  • Involve children simple everyday activities – cooking, cleaning or hanging the washing out.
  • Simple everyday objects like a cardboard box or washing basket can be turned into anything: a boat, a car, a rocket ship.
  • Talk about what your child is doing as you play together.
  • Join a local playgroup session. Find a playgroup near you – Playgroups Victoria

Multicultural Language Resources

Multicultural families may wish to keep their young children connected to their home language and cultural identity while learning a new language. Please refer to the following resources as a guide.

Activities and resources to do at home with children

Activities and resources to help support children at home during coronavirus.

  • Goldfields Library – library storytellers are regularly recording storytime sessions so children can read, sing and dance along to books, songs and rhymes online storytime sessions at home.
  • Library In Your Loungeroom – provides a range of educational, entertaining and informative resources that are free and easily accessible from home. 
  • Staycation Kit – 10 simple ways you can talk, read, sing, and play your way through the day – for children aged 0-6 years of age.
  • Free Subscription – a list of educational organisations offering free subscriptions – all ages.
  • Protecting Children During Coronavirus – resources for parents including links to comic books and colouring in sheets explaining coronavirus – all ages.