Rhonda Brain, PTTR’s Creative Director, set the ball rolling in Parkes by decorating her home under supervision of the Reading Bug.
A campaign started in Parkes, was launched nationally on Monday to remind families everywhere to read and sing with their children during this time of social isolation – and beyond.
Her Excellency Linda Hurley, wife of the Governor General, launched Paint the Town REaD’s (PTTR) new national campaign: REaD and Sing with Me at Home.
It builds on the many initiatives already running in the more than 90 Paint the Town REaD communities across six states.
These communities will lead the campaign, but families around Australia are invited to join in.
Inspired by the social movement of children putting teddy bears in windows, PTTR groups will provide fun reminders and suggested activities to promote singing and reading at home.
“Singing is an enjoyable way to increase happiness in our homes and lives. Reading together helps everybody to keep calm and to feel safe,” said Linda, who is PTTR’s patron. She sang the PTTR song, which she has composed, at the launch as well as a sunshine song.
The challenge is on in Parkes to see which street will end up with the most decorated homes. Here are some ideas of what can be done.
PTTR communities around the country including Parkes, have started to decorate their homes in red, sharing ideas on favourite books, making children’s books available in accessible spots, running drive-through book pickups, live streaming story times, playgroups and tips for parents and creatively keeping community reading activities alive within the requirements of social distancing.
The Parkes committee is asking families, businesses, services, schools and preschools to join in by putting a bear in their window or on a chair on the verandah, and putting up some red decoration on the post box or anywhere else. This will encourage and remind the community to look for the teddies and read and sing with their children. The challenge is on to see which street in Parkes will end up with the most decorated homes!