We planned something exciting during the Essex Year of Numbers!
In Summer 2024, we worked in partnership with Essex Libraries, Active Essex, Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service and Home-Start Harwich to bring you ‘Read and Count With Me By the Sea’ borrow bags. The bags included sea themed story books and a beach themed activity/spotting sheet!
These events were based in various locations across Essex with the ‘Read and Count With Me By the Sea’ theme. The events will had a range of activities available and a chance for families to explore the bags – the turnout was amazing and we really enjoyed meeting lots of families and chatting to them about what we do!
Reading with your child is a great way of helping them develop their communication skills and expand their vocabulary – and the best bit is you can read together almost anywhere!
The great outdoors offers lots of possibilities for learning new things and being creative, and books can often be the starting point for coming up with your own games and activities.
Top tips:
- Go on an outdoor adventure: head into your garden or local beach with your ‘Read and Count With Me By the Sea’ bag and encourage your child to join in as you read together!
- Bring your story to life: you could act out your child’s favourite story together using homemade props and soft toys
- Use our ’50 Things to Do Before You’re 5′ checklist: you can tick off number 15 ‘visit the seaside to explore and find treasures at the beach’
- If your child is on the Autistic spectrum: The Autism and Nature Organisation have created free books designed to help parents, carers and teachers to engage children with autism and related disabilities with the countryside: New free Autism and Nature book available
