Spot on tour bringing storytelling to local families

Councillor Rachel Massey with a parent and toddler at Derby Street Children's Centre

Families joined beloved children’s character Spot the Dog and the National Literacy Trust on a road show of children’s centres in the borough of Rochdale, promoting the importance of early language and communication.

Families were invited along for free storytelling and singing sessions, face painting, puppet making and more, all designed to help parents support their babies’ early language and communication development. Everyone left with a free goody bag containing a Spot the Dog book, gifted by Penguin Random House.

The road show celebrated the start of First Words Together, a programme from the National Literacy Trust to help parents support their babies' and toddlers' early communication and language development. The programme then continues with a series of weekly sessions and delivered at five libraries in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

Parental involvement in children’s literacy improves their academic performance and success more than any other factor, including social class, family size and level of parental education.

The First Words Together programme forms part of the multi-agency speech, language and communications pathway (SLC), led by a multi-agency early years team that aims to help children thrive. The SLC Pathway aims to showcase the wide range of services, resources and support available to families of children up to five-years-old to promote speech, language and communication.

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “Our 16 children’s centres offer a diverse range of sessions from baby sensations to healthy little eaters, and stories and crafts for babies and children up to five years old. Supporting children’s speech, language and communication is fundamental to a child’s development and these additional sessions, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, have provided additional support for families in a fun and friendly environment.”

Tracy Jackson, head of early years at the National Literacy Trust, said: “We know that the quality of a child’s home learning environment can have life changing impacts on school attainment, job prospects and more. The National Literacy Trust, and our First Words Together programme, will give local families the confidence to support their babies in these early stages.”

First Words Together sessions will take place across five libraries co-delivered by health visitors and local early years workers. Families with children up to two years old can book onto these sessions by contacting their local children’s centre directly. Families can find their nearest centre and contact details by visiting www.rochdale.gov.uk/sure-start-childrens-centres.

For free activities and information about helping your baby or toddler learn to speak, or to find out more about First Words Together, visit www.wordsforlife.org.uk.