Reading Matters, Even to the Smallest Baby.
This year NIDCAP Australasia in partnership with The Life’s Little Treasures Foundation is promoting participation in the Little Readers Read-a-thon and we are inviting all neonatal units (neonatal intensive care and special care nurseries) across Australia to participate. We also welcome international participation!
Why reading is important:
Reading to babies every day supports development not only in the NICU, but also going into early infancy and childhood. Babies enjoy hearing their parent’s voice over any other sound, but what’s more important is that it’s an activity that parents can do every day for their baby during a time where many feel helpless in an intense and stressful environment. Reading is also linked to improved language and writing abilities at school age, so it’s never too early to start and why we’re encouraging you to get on board with our Little Readers Read-a-thon.
Meet our 2023 Read-a-thon Ambassador Michelle Worthington
Michelle Worthington is an internationally published award-winning author of empowering picture books for children of all ages. We love her passion and we’re very grateful to have her on board!
How to participate:
How to get your hospital involved: Units are required to register to officially participate in the Read-a-thon in order to be eligible for prizes and to provide access to resources. Please register your hospital by Friday the 25th of August by completing the form below. Once complete, you will receive a Read-a-thon stater pack and access to online resources to help you run the activity within the unit.
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 tool kit that includes everything you’ll need; electronic resources (factsheets, promotion posters, participation certificates, log sheets, survey tools) printed resources (bookmarks, reading booklets). ( Australian hospitals only)
How to win a prize for your hospital: Prizes are up for grabs for the hospital with the most number of books read and the most number of minutes read, so please make sure you have families logging their reading on the logging sheets provided. Once the Read-a-thon is complete, upload your logging sheets in the link below. Logging sheets must be uploaded by COB on Monday the 25th of September.
Read-a-thon registrants will also have the opportunity to win some great prizes for the highest total number of books read and the 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?
Making the most of this activity: We encourage you to make this activity your own and to find creative, fun ways to promote the joy of reading within your unit. Our Read-a-thon flyer provides some ideas and inspiration to get you started, and you can download it here.
How to register: It’s easy, just fill in the online form below and we’ll do the rest!
Need more information about the Little Readers Read-a-thon?
Please contact Amy Baker, Special Projects Coordinator at Life’s Little Treasures Foundation via email: [email protected]
Read-a-thon Registration Form
Little Readers Read-a-thon Key dates:
> Register your hospital to receive downloadable resources and your hospital starter pack by the August 25, 2023
> Run your Little Readers Read-a-thon event in hospital between September 4- 15, 2023
> Upload your hospital’s logging sheets to win a prize. Logging sheets must be uploaded by September 25, 2023
> Check our Life’s Little Treasures social media pages to see if your hospital is a winner! Winners announced on Monday October 2, 2023
Uploading logging sheets:
> Upload your logging sheets by 25th September here.
