Niño ELA sponsors 6th Annual Little Readers Read-a-thon

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Niño Early Learning Adventures (Niño ELA) has proudly announced its sponsorship of the 6th Annual Little Readers Read-a-thon, an initiative by The Newborn Individualised Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) Australasia and Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLTF).

 

Running from 9 – 20 September, the Little Readers Read-a-thon encourages parents and carers to engage in the invaluable practice of reading to their premature babies during their hospital stay and beyond. This event, which invites neonatal intensive care and special care nurseries worldwide, fosters a global community dedicated to the well-being and development of our tiniest treasures.

 

“We’re absolutely delighted to support this wonderful initiative, which highlights the crucial role of early literacy in a child’s development,” Niño ELA Company Manager Melinda Ackerman said. 

 

Fostering a love for reading from a young age not only builds strong foundations for academic success but also nurtures creativity, imagination, and a lifelong passion for learning, she continued, citing research which shows that reading to children from infancy can significantly boost vocabulary and IQ scores later in life, with immediate benefits when the reader is a parent. 

 

It has been proven that newborns can identify their mother’s voice soon after birth, and this familiar sound can increase levels of oxytocin (the social bonding hormone) and reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), creating a comforting environment that supports early development.

 

“We are deeply grateful for Niño Early Learning Adventures’ sponsorship, which provides crucial support for the Little Readers Read-a-thon and strengthens our mission to support families with premature and sick babies,” LLTF CEO Felicia Welstead said. 

 

“Niño ELA’s commitment to early childhood development aligns with our goals, helping us reach more families and foster bonding through the power of reading.” 

 

Niño ELA will host a special event to launch the 2024 campaign at Niño ELA Malvern East centre, which will mark the beginning of a two-week journey where hospitals worldwide will track the number of minutes and books read to babies, fostering a sense of connection and purpose during a critical time in these young lives.

 

“This partnership is not just about supporting literacy but about making a meaningful difference in the lives of families facing challenging circumstances. We’re honoured to be part of an initiative that brings comfort, connection, and growth to these young children and their families” Ms Ackerman said.

 

Learn more about the Little Readers Read-a-thon here.