Honey Ant Readers run Parent/Child Reading Workshops in NT schools

Many studies have shown that children who read together with their parents are better prepared with language and literacy skills when they attend school. Research has also shown that these children are more likely to develop a love of reading, which often can be just as important as the head start. Also, describing pictures, discussing stories and encouraging children to ask questions and to talk about what they have read further improves their social skills and expands their experiences of the world.
In recognition of these benefits, Honey Ant Readers author Marg James has been running parent/child reading workshops at schools around the Northern Territory. Marg ran a very stimulating and lively, hands-on workshop for parents and their children at Gillen School in Alice Springs. Starting with the story ‘Tracker Tjugingji’ by local Mutitjulu author, Bob Randall, Margaret followed this with songs, activities and books from the ‘Honey Ant Reader’ series. The school provided a delicious afternoon tea when parents and children also had a chance to chat to each other and to make new friends.

A second Alice Springs workshop was held  which was well attended by parents of pre-schoolers and little ones at child care. Parents had a great time in the spacious, bright new library reading, singing and playing with their children. The children had fun with bright yellow playdough, and watching their older brothers, sisters and family members hunting for honey ants on a video. They made some wonderfully creative honey ants and the local newspaper (the Centralian Advocate) captured the event in the article below: