The Reading Village

20 Minutes. 1.8 Million Words.

The math is simple, but the impact is massive:

• 20 Minutes: The daily reading habit.

• 1.8 Million: The number of words a child is exposed to in a year.

• The Result: A vocabulary and cognitive edge that lasts a lifetime.

While AI can process millions of words in seconds, it can't replace the magic of a child discovering a new world through a book.

Parents: Give your child the ultimate superpower—open a book with them today and watch their world grow by millions of words.

Feeling a little sleepy as the holidays get closer? You're not the only one! 😴 Even our youngest learners can feel a bit tired when the school term is almost over. But guess what? We have some super fun ideas to help everyone feel happy and energetic until the big break!

✨ Fun Ways to Feel Great & Finish Strong!

1. Playtime Power-Ups: Take short breaks to play! Run around outside, build with blocks, or draw a picture. A few minutes of fun can make a big difference!
2. Healthy Snacks & Sips: Munch on yummy fruits and veggies, and drink lots of water. These superfoods give you energy to learn and play!
3. Buddy Up! Share a laugh with your friends or help each other with a tricky puzzle. Being with friends makes everything more fun!
4. Dream of the Holidays: Think about all the exciting things you'll do during the holidays! Imagining the fun can give you a boost.
5. Celebrate Every Little Win: Did you finish your homework? Read a new book? Give yourself a high-five! Every effort is amazing!

You are all doing such a fantastic job! Let's sparkle and shine all the way to the holidays. What are your favorite ways to feel happy and energetic?
Share with us below! 👇

We need more tutors! If you're a retired teacher or a teacher aide looking for 5 - 10 hours of work a week. Send your CV to [email protected]
Looking for reliable and friendly tutors who have experience teaching synthetic phonics.
Term 3 start! Must be available after school hours.

Unlock the Magic of Incidental Reading for Your Little Ones! 📚✨

Did you know that reading isn't just about storytime with a book? For young children, some of the most powerful learning happens through incidental reading. This occurs when children begin to recognize and "read" words and symbols in their everyday environment—often without even realizing they are learning!

Incidental reading, also known as engaging with environmental print, helps bridge the gap between recognizing pictures and understanding that letters form meaningful words. When your child points at a "STOP" sign or recognizes the logo on their favorite cereal box, they are practicing essential literacy skills. These small moments build incredible confidence, as children realize that the world is full of messages they can decode themselves.

Why is Incidental Reading So Beneficial?
Contextual Learning: It connects abstract letters to real-world objects and actions.
Confidence Booster: Kids feel like "real readers" long before they can tackle a full sentence in a book.
Vocabulary Growth: Exposure to diverse words on signs, menus, and labels expands their language naturally.
Simple Ways to Encourage It Today:
Grocery Store Scavenger Hunt: Ask your child to help you find the "Milk" or "Apples" by looking at the labels.
Kitchen Labels: Point out the words on snack containers or cereal boxes during breakfast.
On the Go: Read street signs, store names, and billboards together while driving or walking.
Menu Fun: Let them "read" the pictures and words on a restaurant menu to help choose their meal.
The world is a giant classroom! By simply pointing out the words around us, we can turn every errand into an exciting reading adventure. 🌟
We’d love to hear from you! What is the most surprising word or sign your little one has recognized lately? Share your stories in the comments below! 👇

Learning to spell can be fun!

How can I help my child improve their spelling?

Check out these Visual Memory Activities

• Which Is It?: Write the correct and an incorrect spelling side-by-side; have them circle the right one.

• You’re the Teacher: Give them a list of misspelled words and let them "grade" and correct them.

• Proof It!: Write a short paragraph with hidden spelling errors for them to find and fix.

• Word Maze: Create a path of correctly spelled words they must follow to reach the end.

Learning to spell can be fun! 😄

Copied from: It takes a Village Australia
https://www.facebook.com/ItTakesAVillageAus

Is your service ready to share in the magic of reading for National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) next week? 📚✨
It's an annual celebration of reading, literacy and community across the country that you won't want to miss! 🙌
This year, NSS will take place on Wednesday 27 May at 12:00pm AEST (so register now – it's FREE!).
The picture book for 2026 is 'Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller', written by football veterans Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd and illustrated by Jake Minton. ⚽🦘
It's an energetic underdog story featuring a delightful cast of Aussie animals. Cheer for Luna Roo as she finds her inner strength when things get tough on the football field. 👏
Want in? Access free resources and find out more about this year's book on the Australian Library and Information Association website:
📌 www.alia.org.au/nss