Play festival for children at Coate

Set to run from 10am until 4pm, the free event was designed for children aged up to five and based on the theme of play.

Attractions were set to include professional storytelling from John Rowe, face painting, messy play and craft activities and children’s entertainment.

Swindon Library Service was due to attend with its Book Bike and promote the Summer Reading Challenge – a challenge for children aged 4 to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure.

All families were also to be invited to take part in an activity from the Swindon Early Years Passport Quest, a fun interactive resource that encourages families, carers and early years settings to explore and enjoy their local area, whilst developing their children’s language and literacy skills along the way. 

Swindon Stories is a National Literacy Trust programme run in partnership with Swindon Borough Council. The programme encompasses a range of activities to equip children and young people in the town with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life, and works closely with people from across the community to make sure the campaign is reaching everywhere it is needed.

The collaboration with the NSPCC launches the Swindon Look, Say, Sing, Play campaign to give families some fun and easy tips to help develop their baby’s brain right from birth. 

Lynn Turner, Project Coordinator for Early Years in Swindon, said: “We are so pleased to be able to hold this event for Swindon families. Play is such an important part of development in a child’s early years and can help build on so many things, not only language, literacy and communication.

Play is also good for physical development, encouraging imagination and creativity and building social and thinking skills. It is also a brilliant opportunity for parents and carers to interact with little ones, strengthening attachments and having fun!

“This event will be an ideal opportunity to spend quality time with your little ones, taking away new ideas for play, information from services working with 0-5’s and the freebies we have available.

"We hope to see lots of families taking part and enjoying the day.”

Emma Motherwell, Local Campaigns Manager (South West & South Wales) for NSPCC, said:“The NSPCC is delighted to be partnering with the National Literacy Trust in Swindon and Swindon Borough Council to collaborate on early years events, encouraging Swindon parents and carers to adopt positive behaviours that boost their children's communication, language and literacy development - building their brain right from birth.

For more simple tips and activities that parents can do to support their children’s literacy at home, people can visit the National Literacy Trust’s Words for Life website or register to the fortnightly newsletter - https://wordsforlife.org.uk/newsletter