Salisbury Early Years Discovery Day – Words Grow Minds initiative
The City of Salisbury is collaborating with Words Grow Minds and Libraries SA to deliver the Salisbury Early Years Discovery Day on Tuesday 17 September 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Salisbury Community Hub and Civic Plaza.
This free expo focuses on early childhood development, empowering parents with knowledge to support their child’s growth during the critical first 1000 days.
The event will feature presentations by early childhood industry specialists, along with free activities and entertainment for children. Highlights include visits from Bluey and Nylon Zoo, as well as story time sessions with celebrated author Mike Dumbleton, who will read from his popular books Hair
and Jump and Shout. Legendary South Australian author and children’s literacy advocate Mem Fox will also be reading multiple books, including the renowned Possum Magic.
The City of Salisbury values early childhood learning and ensuring a connected community where families feel supported in providing opportunities for their children. As proud supporters of the Words Grow Minds initiative by the Government of South Australia, our priority is to be a City where children have the chance to talk, play, read, and sing in a welcoming environment.
Mem Fox shared her enthusiasm for the event, saying ‘I love reading to children for the sheer pleasure of watching their joyful, hysterical reactions. But I also know that every story develops their brain power and their ability to learn to speak, and every book helps them to learn to read more easily when they arrive at school. Best of all—it’s fun for all!’
Stalls will be hosted by experts in early education and service providers offering referrals to a range of services. Fun and creative activities will give children the chance to play, sing, dance, have their faces painted, dig for dinosaurs, and attend puppet school.
Kate Ellis, CEO of Raising Literacy Australia and Chair of the Early Years Taskforce, praised the City’s dedication to the initiative.
‘The City of Salisbury has truly embraced Words Grow Minds with efforts to support the development of its youngest citizens. Talking, playing, reading and singing to babies and toddlers is more than simply nice to do, it will have an impact on the rest of their lives.
‘With about 85 percent of a child’s brain development occurring by the age of three, and over a million new connections forming in the brain every second, early experiences have a greater influence on brain development than genetics alone.
‘When parents learn how simple interactions shape their child’s future, we find they feel incredibly empowered.’
The event, funded by the Libraries Board of South Australia, supports the Words Grow Minds campaign, an initiative of the Department for Education’s Early Learning Strategy.
With an expected attendance of 2000 people, the Salisbury Early Years Discovery Day will connect families and educators with service providers to help them understand how babies and young children learn to thrive.
More information and ticket bookings are available via www.salisbury.sa.gov.au/wgm