Paint Parra REaD

Redsee the Readasaurus is the Paint Parra REaD reading mascot. Redsee loves to:

• Read every day
• Visit the library
• Join events to encourage children to read, talk, sing and rhyme!

Parents and carers can help their children develop early literacy skills to prepare them for school. Research shows that children who enter school with early skills (like reading and writing) are more likely than their peers to experience later academic skills, attain higher levels of education, and secure employment.

• Read every day, in any language. If you don’t feel comfortable reading, create your own stories using pictures in a book or photos.
• Sign your child up for library membership. Having their own library card provides them with a sense of independence and allows them to borrow books so they can start their reading journey.
• Away from home? Pack books to read with your children.
• Set up a night time reading routine. Remember, it’s OK to read the same books over and over.
• Register your child for the 1000 Books Before School program. Read with your child and have them read to you. Log the books they have read for rewards!

• Use your eyes, voice and actions when talking to your child/children.
• When reading stories or watching films, ask your child questions to engage them in the content.
• Take the time to talk to your children about their day – their trip to the supermarket, the park, the playgroup.
• Encourage your child to meet with, and talk to, other children.
• Read to your children in your mother language. Learning your language will help your children to communicate with their family back home.

• Participate in Story Time Online – a series of engaging videos presented by City of Parramatta Libraries’ Children’s and Youth Services Team.
• Sing and share music with your child every day. Don’t be afraid to act silly. Have fun!
• Join a local playgroup for singing, rhymes and stories.
• Check out YouTube for videos featuring children’s songs such as Jbrary and ABC Kids
• Sing songs to your children that you were sung to when you were a child.

• Borrow rhyming books and books with nursery rhymes from the library to help your child recognise rhymes and rhyming words.
• Reinforce rhymes by working through activities and watching videos with your child. Try a selection of these from ABC Education
• Create your own mix and match rhyming word cards – a fun literacy activity to play with your child.
• Take a look at Playgroup NSW’s 5 benefits of using nursery rhymes with your child

The Paint Parra REaD Annual Reading Day is an outdoor community event, held every year on the second Wednesday in September.

Paint Parra REaD is a free event a hosted by City of Parramatta Council celebrating the importance of reading, talking, singing and rhyming with children from birth with a special guest appearance by Redsee the Readasaurus.

Redsee the Readasaurus can be borrowed for free by any community group, educational institution or government body to promote early literacy and the importance of reading to children. For more information on how to borrow Redsee and to book, contact City of Parramatta Libraries

Help us to Paint Parra REaD and give your children a great start!

Paint Parra REaD is a partnership between the City of Parramatta Council and Community Migrant Resource Centre