Taking Literacy Strides

In a community where almost one-third of kids fall behind in literacy due to language and learning challenges, Maxine, a five-year-old from Rokeby Primary School (RPS) in Tasmania, was no exception.

The Literacy Strides project at RPS is a game-changer for kids like Maxine. By involving families and using play-based activities, the program is helping students develop phonemic awareness, a vital skill for reading. Teachers have shared creative resources with families using the SeeSaw App, keeping them up-to-date on their child’s progress. Children are also practicing reading at home with decodable books, including interactive online versions for nonverbal kids. Additionally, to ensure ‘best practice’, teachers have received special training in phonemic awareness and literacy instruction.

Maxine and all the other kindergartners have made incredible progress. They’re now well above their grade level and are full of confidence and curiosity, setting them up for future success. The school’s principal, Ben Richardson said: “Students of all abilities demonstrated improvements. This is an exciting initiative for our Kinder students who historically do not have a positive start to their formative years.”

Families have raved about the program, praising its innovative approach to early literacy and pushing for it to continue. Partnering with Schools Plus for a second year, RPS is currently expanding their best practice literacy program to impact children across the whole school.