Kids’ new path to literacy

Pre-school students in Healesville and Badger Creek will have more exposure to numeracy and literacy before reaching primary school, following a $3500 Rotary Club donation.
A donation through the Rotary Club of Healesville and Rotary’s District 9810 to KinderLink in Badger Creek saw $3500 in numeracy and literacy equipment for Badger Creek, Queens Park and Haig Avenue pre-schools.
Speaking to the Mail on Wednesday, 15 February, Rotary’s Terry Hill said the money came through a grant to address numeracy and literacy in the area, a current focus for the organisation.
“We know this is a very low area for numeracy and literacy – the whole of the Yarra Valley is quite low … so they need much, much more numeracy and literacy-type activities, to keep them up to or get them up to a standard,” he said.
With Rotarian Graeme Chester, the group liaised with KinderLink manager Jacinta Graham to organise equipment for the three pre-schools, including books, weights, dominoes and a see-saw, among other items.
“Mats were purchased to facilitate the children’s development, learning to sit co-operatively, spatial awareness – it’s hard for the children to sit in a circle if they’re on a square mat, for example,” Ms Graham said.
She said Haig Avenue Pre-school would also have literacy bags – bags with letters on them, containing items whose name began with that letter.
“Exposing them to numeracy and literacy awakens those skills,” she said.
“School is about further developing them – pre-school is about playing and learning through play, and being exposed to letters, numbers, stories and promoting their development.
“So it’s a good start.”