The Living Books Project took place between 2015 and 2018 and involved 5 cycles of delivery to a range of beneficiaries

• Project Dates: Start date: 2015 End date: 2018
• Project Leader: Maria Mroz
• Staff: Maria Mroz and Ulrike Thomas
• Sponsors: Ballinger Trust, Seven Stories and Newcastle University

Background

The Living Books Project took place between 2015 and 2018 and involved 5 cycles of delivery to the following beneficiaries:

• Early Years practitioners and Early Years advisory teachers employed by Local Authorities (LAs)
• Library staff
• College students studying the first or second year of childcare courses at Gateshead College and their tutors
• Parents
• Foster carers

The overarching aim of the project was to encourage early reading and a love of books in young children and families living in disadvantaged communities in the North East. The project was made up of two levels, with Level 1 aimed at the Early Years practitioners, LA staff, library staff and the college students with their tutors; and level 2 aimed at parents/carers and foster carers.

The Level 1 programme involved:

• Exploring how Seven Stories strives to engage children and their families in reading for pleasure for all ages in the visitor centre
• The vital role of reading for fun in the development of young children
• Developing story telling skills through games and activities
• Introducing a structure and routine for storytelling with a focus on active participation and sensory engagement (see page 4)
• Taking part in and deconstructing demonstrations of storytimes
• Browsing books, identifying what makes a high quality picture book and the added impact of the best books.
• Highlighting the importance and value of picture books which represent a diverse society
• Supported planning for active, engaging storytimes based around the book collection (group and individual)
• Exploring the opportunities provided by good books for early learning in all curriculum areas, including language acquisition. Using books as a catalyst for child-led exploration, and focussed questioning and discussion.
• Supported cross-curricular planning for specific books (group and individual)
• Working with families and engaging them in reading for fun. The barriers, issues and striving to overcome them. Ideas and techniques for involving adults in storytelling.
• The structure and practical delivery of the Living Books intervention

The Level 2 programme involved:

The above plus:

• Raising the profile of books outside your setting and engaging your community
• Exploring other ways to engage parents/carers with books

Contact

For further information contact:

Maria Mroz.