Thursday 8 April 2010

Booktrust - The Rhyme Challenge and Storybump

Yesterday I attended a meeting at the Royal College of Midwifery, http://www.rcm.org.uk/ 
It was to hear the report back on the Storybump pilot with Booktrust.
 http://www.booktrust.org.uk
Booktrust is an independent UK-wide charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to enjoy books. The written word permeates all our activity and helps us to fulfil our vision of inspiring a lifelong love of books for all. 

Storybump is an exciting new project initially being aimed at those considered to be in vulnerable groups as pregnant mums, but with a longer term aim of it being available to all, like the well-established Bookstart scheme.
Babies can hear from inside the womb from 24 weeks gestation so it is ideal to begin singing, saying rhymes and reading to the 'bump'. It can aid relaxation, begin bonding and reduce anxieties amongst other benefits.
The two initial pilots have been well-received and the pack given is lovely with a couple of books and rhyme CD in it. Stage 2 will involve other areas taking part later in the year. Watch this space!

Another scheme which Booktrust are currently doing is the brilliant Rhyme Challenge.

http://www.booktrust.org.uk/show/feature/search/The-Rhyme-Challenge-2010


The Challenge is for pre-school and reception aged children and is an extension activity to our bookgifting programmes; Bookstart and Booktime. The main aim of the Challenge is to encourage a love of rhymes and early poetry in a fun and informal way. It is also an excellent way to increase family involvement by encouraging fathers, mothers, family members and carers to enjoy learning rhymes within the home and get involved in their child’s learning. 

The posters, print-outs and certificates are really impressive! The teacher in me felt a wall display and theme coming on!


I have been very impressed with the team at Booktrust and feel the Storybump will be a great asset to the scheme.

Elaine Hanzak

www.hanzak.com





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