Humpty Dumpty trail to help young readers

By Barrie Hudson - 27 October 2021

CommunityEducation

Literacy group Swindon Stories has announced a Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme trail throughout November for children aged up to five.

The aim of the trail is to promote reading

It is part of the Hungry Little Minds campaign from the National Literacy Trust, and is funded by the Department of Education. 

Following on from the success of the Hungry Little Minds story trail at Coate Water, families are invited to Bexley Walk Park near Cavendish Square. 

Children aged up to five will be able to follow the trail around the park and find nursery rhymes that Humpty Dumpty has hidden.  

Families, carers and people in early years settings will be able to pick up nursery trail details from Tuesday, 9 November either on the Swindon Stories Facebook page or at the Park Library.

Anish Harrison, Hub Manager for Swindon Stories, said: “In Swindon, we are really eager to highlight Nursery Rhyme Week as an excellent opportunity to share early literacy skills with little ones. 

"It is never too soon to start chatting, playing and reading with your children and nursery rhymes are a great vehicle to explore these important skills.”

Once people have picked up or downloaded a form, they will be able to take their children to the park to complete the trail and find the hidden nursery rhymes. The trail will be in place for the whole of November and will also be promoted to nurseries and other early years’ settings in the area. 

All families getting involved are encouraged to take photos and send them to the team at the Swindon Stories Facebook page.

The nursery rhyme trail is part of the Hungry Little Minds campaign which provides families of children under five with simple and fun activities which can easily slot into their daily routines to build their child’s speech and language skills at home. The campaign is working across 12 areas of the country, aiming to reach as many families as possible and ensure that as many children as possible are receiving literacy and language support. 

Lynn Turner, Project Coordinator for Hungry Little Minds in Swindon, said: “The nursery rhyme trail is a lovely opportunity for families to share an outdoor activity together while having fun and helping to develop those important early language and communication skills. 

"Parents and carers can help their little ones to become mini heroes by finding the hidden rhymes and enjoying a sing song together.”

More information can be found at www.facebook.com/SwindonStories and https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/ 

The National Literacy Trust’s Words for Life website is https://wordsforlife.org.uk/

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