Storytime at home

Reading Discovery is a home-based early intervention program focusing on language and emergent literacy for preschool children. Trained Reading Discovery practitioners model oral language, creative play and emergent literacy practices to parents and caregivers. Children's progress towards the Reading Discovery goals and outcomes is monitored and shared continuously with parents, caregivers, Family Support Services case managers, speech therapists and early childhood professionals working with families.

Reading Discovery is a family literacy program aimed at parents and their preschool children in marginalized rural groups.  The program is integrated into the existing Family Support Services at Community Connections in Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton. It has partnerships with PCP (Primary Care Partnerships) in the Southern Grampians and Glenelg Shires where it is implemented through MCH (Maternal and Child Health) and other Early Childhood Services. Partnerships are also in place with Rotary, Bookshops, Community Houses, The Australian Breastfeeding Association, SWTAFE, Libraries and Indigenous and Migrant groups.

Reading Discovery comes under the banner of the Social Inclusion and Emotional Development Strategies (SIEDS) programs at Community Connections. SIEDS is a series of early intervention programs aimed at vulnerable families with pre school children. The practice model builds on families' capabilities by strengthening social inclusiveness and emotional capital which are the foundations of healthy autonomy and life-long learning. All programs are entertaining, fun and embrace cultural diversity.

About SIEDS

SIEDS programs enhance attachment and relationships between parents, children and caregivers.  The strategies and training program encourage social inclusion, healthy attachment and rich stimulatory experiences which help develop emotional capital in families. The theories which inform the practice recognize the importance of early brain stimulation. Through a series of learning strategies and programs modeled by trained early childhood practitioners, parents and caregivers learn how to stimulated preschool children in language, play, literacy and early learning experiences for school readiness.

All SIEDS programs are research-based in partnerships with the Centre for Health Through Action on Social Exclusion (CHASE) at Deakin University and show outstanding results. 

More information is available at www.readingdiscovery.com.au or by downloading the brochure 'Reading Discovery'.

Contact Reading Discovery by calling 1300 361 680 or email their staff.