Meet the Illustrator: Adyna Ferre talks about character creation and animation

Why talking to your kids will make them better readers

Vocabulary is extremely important to a child's literacy development, especially if they struggle to communicate. Having a broader range and understanding of what words mean and do can help even the most reluctant reader. Most people make the mistake of thinking that reading to kids and getting them to read aloud is the first place to start, but this is in fact the end goal. It starts with having a conversation with them on a daily basis.

 

When children see the purpose and priority behind where words fit in their day-to-day lives, they are more responsive to engaging with literacy activities that will foster a love of reading.

Why kids need authors as much as they need sporting stars

Our role models play an important role in shaping our dreams and ambitions. For many kids, the under-representation of the arts as a viable employment pathway, together with a lack of exposure to creative business owners from across diverse fields, makes it difficult for children who aren’t into sport to see themselves reflected in the people living their dream. Author and illustrator visits to schools play a large part in inspiring young children to not only believe in themselves, but to dare to expand their possibilities and take forward action on what they dream of doing. Until people in power respect the contributions and invest in the arts, the non-sporty kids will continue to miss out on finding their own heroes. 

Book Week is 17 -23 October

How to write a book for today’s children

Aspiring picture book authors are often already aware of the basics of writing stories for children but forget that what captivates modern children may not be the same as when they themselves were young. Today, there are many different formats of children's books, specific regulations around how to work with illustrators. Aspiring authors need to create stories that today’s children will enjoy by finding the right topic, language, and pace. International award-winning children’s author, Michelle Worthington, helps writers to find their own unique voice and to give them the why-for and know how to get published. 

It’s not as easy as you might think. 

Book Week is 17 - 23 October 2020

Is imagination an endangered species?

Modern children are very good at mimicry and mirroring instruction, but with the current curriculum’s focus on learning outcomes more so than learning pathways, are they losing the ability to think independently and inventively? The important role that imagination plays in creating engagement is being lost and forced literacy ignores the essence of critical and creative thinking: the need for questioning, exploration, and extended discussion around issues that are important to children. Without imagination, are our children equipped to be the leaders of tomorrow?

Putting the 'home' into home reading

With lockdowns and restrictions continuing across the country, it can feel as if we’ve had enough 'family time'. But are we actually spending quality time with our children or just going through the motions of home learning? When we sit to share a book, we’re creating a space to be together, to be available for our child and not distracted by anything else that's going on around us. The agreement to share a book allows us to tune in to what really catches their attention, their emotions, their sense of humour, even what they don't particularly respond to. We can, through the book sharing experience, get to know our children better. Taking only five minutes a day to share a book with your child can go a long way towards facilitating and nurturing your relationship and improving their mental health, as well as your own.

Kids, change, and the power of picture books

 Kids, change, and the power of picture books

Picture Books can be great tools for you to use to help your child understand change and new or frightening events, and also the strong emotions that can go along with them. When children are able to think about the text and make connections between the new information presented in the story and their store of background experiences, it allows them to be active and thoughtful about their own anxiety. Children can use picture books to make connections between familiar knowledge and incoming information in order to make predictions and inferences about characters, their motives and actions, as well as story events in order to learn that change is a natural and normal part of life. 

Reading to Your Child Doesn't Have to be at Bedtime

 Reading to your child doesn’t have to be at bedtime

It only takes 3 to 5 minutes a day to significantly improve your child’s vocabulary and communication skills. Introduce young children to the value of books by incorporating one book a day into playtime instead of the bedtime routine. Often when we wait until the end of the day, both parent and child are too tired to actively engage. Reading while playing builds a foundation of communication and word structure for your child by helping them to become familiar with common sounds, words and language that you use throughout the day. The time of day doesn’t matter, it’s the connection that counts.

Reading is Reading, No Matter the Medium

Reading is reading, no matter the medium

Waging a war to get your child to read can never be won; the only true victory happens when you lay down your arms and befriend the fact that for some children, reading is like having to eat their vegetables...they only do it because a parent says it’s good for them or a teacher makes them do it before they can move on to something 'fun'. The more we treat reading like a chore or homework, the more children are going to become disengaged from the true purpose of books; to give the gift of another world, a new friend or a mirror to celebrate what makes us all truly unique. Fun online reading games, reading apps and read along with animations on YouTube videos all have their place in modern literacy. Books have always come in all shapes and sizes, so reading is reading, no matter the medium.

Reading Picture Books to Improve Children's Mental Health

Studies show that when we read, the brain does not make a real distinction between reading about an experience and actually living it. Whether reading or experiencing it, the same neurological regions are stimulated. Children can show a significant increase in mental health from reading picture books as evidence suggests that the comprehension process stimulated by predicting, relating and questioning that occurs with young readers provides guidelines about how to talk about issues they feel strongly about and an opportunity to share their own views about what is happening in the world around them. It is not just the words or pictures we are sharing; it's a lifeline for their mental health. 

Reconnecting with books embraces the old and the new

Studies show that no previous generation has had to adapt to the amount of technological, economical and global change that our kids will have to do in their lifetime - they’ve come to rely on technology for communication, companionship and self-regulation. Books often come second to the immediate, individualised and integrated programming of the internet. If I had a choice between reading a book or internet when I was their age, I would have chosen internet, and I love books. The lure of technology comes from smart marketing, inadequate arts funding from the government, and a lack of imagination and foresight required to embrace what could be an amazing partnership between the new and the old. Connection with our kids is what's missing, and that's where we’re failing them - not the other way around.

Christmas can be overwhelming for kids with Sensory Processing Disorder

Do you have a kid with SPD?  I do, I have 3!

Sensory overstimulation is common among kids who were premmie babies. Light and sound are the most common triggers, but they can be overstimulated by movement, scents, touch, taste, vibrations and electromagnetic fields.

For some kids, taking a few minutes time out will reset their system. For others, it doesn’t work that way. It can range from uncomfortable and intolerable. 

Sudden strong overstimulation triggers an immediate surge of adrenaline, anxiety and sometimes nausea. Lower levels can creep up and the consequences can last a couple of days. 

Now, imagine if this was you...at Christmas. The lights, sounds and busy crowds start way before the 1st of December these days. Christmas is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for some kids, it’s a constant battle to process the world around them.

What can we do to help?

It’s difficult to avoid, and really not fair to miss out on the fun of Christmas. Gradual increase in tolerance often comes with exposure and age, in a sensory friendly environment. This Christmas, if you are having an event at your work or home, maybe provide a tent or quiet corner for kids to retreat and reset. 

If you see a child having a meltdown, don’t always assume it’s bad behaviour. It could be the world is just too bright or too loud at that moment. Respect a parent who is limited in what they can do to stop it.

We will be hosting a book launch on the 1st of December at Little Gnome for my latest picture book, Little Gnome’s Christmas Wish, a book about a little gnome with sensory processing disorder who loves Christmas but struggles with the lights, noise and crowds. 

Children of all abilities are welcome to come and share an inclusive sensory friendly experience of the real meaning of Christmas, spending time with friends and family who love you and accepts you for who you are.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sensory-friendly-christmas-book-launch-tickets-73523888931?ref=eios

Mind Kind Your Child's Mental Health with Dr Joanna North

Tell us about yourself, Joanna.

I am a Psychotherapist and Chartered Psychologist working with children, adults and families. I have worked in the field of mental health and personal development for thirty years. I work as an Expert Witness for the family court in the United Kingdom and am an Ofsted Registered Adoption Support and Intermediary Tracing Agency. I meet with families and children every day in my work and talk about their lives.

What inspired you?

Working in Child Mental Health for 30 years I realised that parents need support and have many questions about Child Mental Health. This book aims to answer these questions. It doesn’t help when parents get anxious about their child’s anxiety.

What has been your journey up to this point?

I have been a mum, a step mum and a Grandmother. These roles have all been important to me. I have been in the field of personal development for forty years with thirty of these in mental health.

What is the most important thing about what you do?

Helping people to understand their own mind as well as their child’s mind.

What are the challenges you face?

I love writing and I love my work with my clients. I have to manage my time really well. My diary is the main challenge of my life.

What advice can you offer to parents?

Don’t overfill your timetable. Try and remain calm and resolve one problem at a time. Remember that Minds matter and given time we can respond mindfully and effectively to resolve things that get in the way of family harmony and a productive life.

What is your definition of successful parenting?

Being mindful that every minute counts and that you are the source of learning for your child. Taking care of yourself so that your child absorbs mindfulness and calm from you.

What is your ultimate goal?

My contribution to my world is to support parents to raise children who contribute to a society that is more kind. I have to practice what I preach. This is a complex task. Sometimes we have to be tough and be kind. My goal in writing is that this information reaches out to more people more quickly and can help them change behaviour.

Contact Joanna North

Website:  www.joannanorth.co.uk

            Facebook:   Joanna North.

            Twitter:  Joanna North 23

         

The book is available at good retailers and online, including Amazon and at

https://exislepublishing.com/product/mind-kind/

Why Reading to Our Littlest Babies Matters

Reading to your baby, especially when you aren’t able to touch them, not only lets them know you are there, it forms a bond that helps to fight the postnatal depression and PTSD experienced by parents of premature babies and babies in intensive and special care. I know. I was in that position, three times. I read to each of the boys when I wasn’t allowed to cuddle them and it made a huge difference.

That’s why I’m so blown away at being asked to the the Ambassador of the very first Life's Little Treasures Foundation Little Readers Readathon, as a Mum and an author. Best of all, Tommy gets to help, too!

Why reading matters…
Even the tiniest babies need frequent exposure to spoken language to ensure optimal early brain development.

During a baby’s time in the Neonatal Unit critical brain development is occurring, including the development of the pathways in the brain that control language skills. By reading to their babies, parents are not only bonding with them and reducing some of the stress associated with being in the NICU, they are also supporting their baby’s brain development.

Babies need frequent exposure to meaningful auditory experiences to ensure optimal early brain development. Research has identified a number of benefits of reading from early infancy, with a lasting effect on language, literacy and early reading skills with a boost in vocabulary at four years of age.

Little Readers read-a-thon

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  Even the tiniest babies need frequent exposure to spoken language to ensure optimal early brain development.

Who can participate?

This year NIDCAP in partnership with The Life’s Little Treasures Foundation is promoting participation in the Little Readers Read-a-thon. Any neonatal unit (NICU/SCN) in Australia can participate in the Little Readers Read-a-thon. Units need to register to officially participate in the Read-a-thon in order to be eligible for prizes and to provide access to resources.

How to register

It’s easy, just fill in the online form below and we’ll do the rest

What do you get when you register for the read-a-thon?

Once registered for the Little Readers Read-a-thon units will receive a great toolkit which includes everything you’ll need, electronic resources (factsheets, promotion posters, participation certificates, log sheets, survey tools) printed resources (bookmarks, reading booklets).

Prizes

Registrants will also have the opportunity to win some great prizes for highest total number of books read and highest total numbers of reading minutes! …so let’s get reading!

What can you do to prepare for the Little Readers Read-a-thon?

Consider how you can promote the event to parents and staff and what resources you have available to you. If you do not have an existing reading library in your unit consider how you could start one – can you ask for donations from local businesses or supporters?

Can your school library or local council library provide you with decommissioned books?

Downloadable Resources

• Letter to Parents
• When to Read to Baby Factsheet
• Infection Control Factsheet

Our Read-a-thon Ambassador

Michelle & Tom Worthington

Michelle Worthington is an internationally published award-winning author of empowering picture books for children of all ages.

“My goal is to inspire all children to believe in themselves and encourage reluctant readers to fall in love with books.” 

Michelle is also an international guest speaker on the importance of storytelling. Her books have been nominated for the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award and Speech Pathology Awards. She was awarded a highly commended in the prestigious 2018 Hilarie Lindsay Children’s Book Awards. Two-time winner of the International Book Award and finalist in the USA Best Book Awards, Michelle also received a Gellett Burgess Award and a Silver Moonbeam Award for her contribution to celebrating diversity in children’s literature.

She’s also a real-life book fairy. Her magic powers include turning coffee into award-winning books. As Founder of Share Your Story Australia, she waves her wand to coach aspiring authors and illustrators all over the world achieve their dreams of publication. Whether she’s a fairy, a mermaid, a pirate or an elf, Michelle celebrates empowering readers and storytellers to dream big.

Register Now

https://lifeslittletreasures.org.au/little-readers-read-a-thon

Kids can write and publish their own books, with some help!

Is your child an Anne 'with an E'

Kids Can Create Books Workshops 

This workshop is for school aged children who have an idea for a story that they would like to publish.

Whether it is a picture book or longer story, kids can bring their ideas to life, giving style and colour to a story solely created by them.

Award winning international author of empowering picture books for children of all abilities, Michelle Worthington, will give aspiring authors and illustrators the information they need to decide what genre they would like to focus on, how they can create engaging stories and the process involved in publication.

You can find out more about Michelle at www.michelleworthington.com

Julieann Wallace, director of Lilly Pilly Publishing, will give real life examples of the children she has worked with to help them share their stories with the world. Visit www.lillypillypublishing.com for more information.

To get the most out of this workshop, children are required to have a project in mind they would like to work on so they get relevant and constructive feedback and can have their specific questions answered.

Bookings essential as places are limited. Parents are welcome to stay during the event, or take some time to read in the library while the workshop takes place, but we require all parents to stay on site.

For any further information, contact Michelle at mworthington.author@gmail.com

Date and Time

Sat. 11 August 2018

12:30 pm – 3:30 pm AEST

Location

Wynnum Library

145 Florence Street

Wynnum, QLD 4178

Book now: Kids Can Create Books Workshop Booking Link