BOLD - Issue 8: November/December NovDec17_BOLD_NL_Joomag | Page 10

Nursery Rhyme Week Nursery rhymes play an important role in early childhood development as they help with language and communication and your child’s early literacy skills. It’s for all these reasons that we are spending an entire week celebrating nursery rhymes. From 13 – 17 November, First 5 Forever will be out in the community with nursery rhyme Story Time sessions and Toowoomba Region Libraries Story Times will be devoted to nursery rhymes. For library story times go to www.tr.qld.gov.au/libraries DATE AND TIME NURSERY RHYME OUTREACH Monday, 13 Nov 9.45am Little Green Frog • Birch Carrol and Coyle (Bring Your Baby Session) Tuesday, 14 Nov 9.30am Row, Row, Row Your Boat • Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, 531 Ruthven St (RSVP to the gallery on 4688 6652) • Queens Park, Lindsay St, near Arthur St Wednesday, 15 Nov 10.15am 5 Little Ducks • Grand Central, near Best and Less Thursday, 16 Nov 9.45am Incy Wincy Spider • High Street Shopping Centre, in the Little Library Friday, 17 Nov 9.30am – 11.30am A very special event for a morning of nursery rhyme celebration! At 10.30am the final nursery rhyme will be revealed! • Cobb+Co Museum, 27 Lindsay St The First Five Forever program is growing in popularity, but many people in the community are unaware of the programs benefits for parents and their children. In this edition of BOLD, we interviewed Janine McNaughton, a local mum who uses the service weekly. Why do you participate in the First 5 Forever program? I discovered the First 5 Forever program about six months ago. I was at a point in my life where my two year old was starting to get incredibly active and I needed to keep her entertained. I wanted more for her than simply staring at a screen or playing with toys so I started looking around online for something that was educational as well as engaging. After a quick look, I discovered the First 5 Forever program that’s not only free, but children can participate and they really get so much out of it in an educational sense. I think it’s a fantastic program for our community. What is one of your favourite activities that they do at First 5 Forever? I attend Baby Rhyme Time and Baby Story Time. These two programs focus on rhymes, stories and fun things for the kids. It’s great for developing the brain. There is also a movement program that I go to where they do dancing and play with objects and there is even a crafts program at Bunnings which is always fun. Why do you keep coming back to the program? My daughter and I get so much out of the program. These days I’m so busy I never get the time to sing to her or read her stories, so now I attend weekly. I think that life can get so hectic that we forget the important things. The First 5 Forever program allows me to focus on her needs and development. I think this program is perfect for both myself and my daughter and I encourage other Mums and Dads to get on board and see how this program can help them. I think activities like this are so important. For more information about First Five Forever, call 131 872 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/events 10 www.tr.qld.gov.au/bold l bold