Families at Queensgate Shopping Centre got the chance to enjoy fun activities and take home free books over the Easter weekend, as part of a school readiness drive across the city.
Peterborough City Council and the National Literacy Trust are working with a variety of partners across Peterborough to ensure that all local children are ready to start school. The initiative supports A Vision for Reading in Peterborough, an exciting new approach outlining how the city can work together to give Peterborough’s children improved opportunities through reading.
The event follows the successful launch of the START school readiness leaflets for parents and carers at Queensgate last Easter and an event at Serpentine Green Shopping Centre during this year’s February half term.
Families were given the chance to take part in free activities, designed to give parents ideas they can put into practice at home with their children to make the move to school as smooth as possible. Activities included:
- Storytelling
- An environmental print trail
- Play dough activities
- Sorting and pegging out socks
- Mark making activities
Each child also got a free book to inspire story time at home, supported by Walker Books. A range of partners were on hand to give parents advice about the transition process into school and there was also information on offer about the 30 hour offer for childcare.
Sally Atkinson, Manager of the National Literacy Trust Hub in Peterborough said:
“Parents and carers are children’s first teachers and have a hugely positive impact on getting them ready for school. The START campaign offers simple tips and activities to help build children’s confidence so that they begin school curious and ready to learn. We were delighted to be back at Queensgate Shopping Centre to give parents ideas that will help make that positive difference when their children enter the classroom.”