A perfect Puddles Party

Around 250 people attended the Hawkesbury’s fifth Annual Children’s Festival ‘Party with Puddles’ this year, with over 100 children, their parents, grandparents, child carers, and visitors enjoying the event.

Facilitated by Paint Hawkesbury REaD with North Richmond Community Centre as the lead agency for the program, Colo High School students and staff were welcomed with open arms by the volunteers who ran the activities on Friday, 11 August.

All children in attendance received a free book, as well as book packs as prizes. The party also allowed families to meet local service providers who work with children and families, to find out about their local libraries and also about the many family and community services available in the Hawkesbury.

The Party with Puddles is designed to raise awareness about the positive effects of reading, singing, rhyming, talking and playing with children during their early developmental years, while at the same time giving parents plenty of ideas about activities they can do with their children with very little effort or cost.

The Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman participated in some music making while the Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett read exciting stories to a delighted audience and presented prizes on the day.

“Doing well at school is an important foundation for a happy and successful life and future career,” Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett said.
“Everyone enjoyed the reading, singing, drumming, painting, drawing, balancing, and many explorative and craft activities, plus free morning tea.

“Of course, meeting Puddles, the Hawkesbury’s beautiful, loveable Reading Mascot was a highlight for our local families,” the Mayor added.

“This event has blossomed into a great partnership project between many different local child, family, community, health and other services, plus Colo High School, Council and Hawkesbury Library Service.”

Research shows that children start listening to sounds already in utero, and appropriate stimulation through reading, talking, singing and rhyming in the first couple of years of their life helps their young brains develop.

Children who have had access to daily reading, rhyming and singing come to school with a much better vocabulary, and much better skills in many areas, including social behaviour.

For more information about Paint the Town REaD, visit
https://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/library/kids/paint-the-town-read or call Hawkesbury Library Service on 4560 4460.