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As you might expect, given the name of our centre, we are great believers in children learning to read as soon as possible.

For an Early Learning Centre near Balcatta, choosing appropriate material for children to read (or be read to from) is something we take very seriously.

Books in Early Learning Centre near Balcatta

There are established guidelines covering a rough syllabus for preschool children.

In the case of books and related materials, we will select those that have been:

• approved by experts as being suitable for younger children in terms of the content they contain, the subjects they touch on and the concepts behind some of the storytelling and its backdrop;
• assessed as being easily comprehensible for the target age group, such as pre-Kindy etc. We’ll use the published target age range for that, combined with our own extensive experience of reading to or helping children to read themselves, various stories;
• clearly confirmed to contain appropriate values. We’ll say more on this below;
• checked out for plain simple fun! Not all children’s books are necessarily equally appealing to young kids. Some books and stories just seem to be more naturally captivating than others – just as is the case in the adult-world libraries!

Above all else, we’ll look for books that are plain, simple fun with lots of pictures where younger children are concerned.

Our books and story values

No approved children’s book in Early Learning Centre near Balcatta is likely to contain values, implicitly or explicitly, that are highly offensive. However, occasionally, controversy over a children’s book breaks out and becomes an issue for the media. When that happens, it’s usually over minor components that are open to various interpretations.

Our position is that there is such a vast selection of excellent and non-controversial books available that choosing ambiguous mixed-message and potentially controversial options is entirely unnecessary.

We will select books that contain positive values that are indisputable for all, including those which stress:

• the benefits of being good as opposed to bad in behaviours;
• the absolute importance of respect for others around us and the natural world we live in;
• the importance of reading and learning.

Gender Issues

We understand this is a concern for some parents today.

We will only use materials that presume, in all respects, total gender equality. We will never knowingly select books or stories that emphasise specific gender role assumptions in society in the sense of things such as “women’s jobs” or “men’s work” etc.

It is also the case that we recognise that there has been much press speculation over recent years relating to today’s more flexible interpretations of what gender means and how this should be tackled in educational circles.

We will not explore this very complicated and potentially controversial issue in our centres, as we know that parents may have very strong and potentially conflicting views on this matter. We believe that such subjects are best dealt with in the home, where parents can offer their children explanations that they believe are appropriate for their age.

Jolly Phonics

Many of our materials will be specifically chosen (or constructed) to support our Jolly Phonics development program.

The exact ‘how’ is something best seen and demonstrated, rather than explained in a brief article.

So, why not call us for an appointment to come along and explore this further on-site?