Goodstart Early Learning Atwell

The research is clear 📚 reading aloud is one of the most powerful things we can do for our children.

When we read with a child, we’re doing far more than sharing a story. We’re building the foundations for language, confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

Decades of research shows that children who are read to regularly:

💛 Build stronger language skills
Hearing rich varied language in books exposes children to far more words than everyday conversation alone. This growing vocabulary helps them understand, communicate and make sense of the world.

💛 Develop early literacy skills long before they learn to read
Through stories, children learn how books work – that print carries meaning, that pages turn left to right, and that stories have a beginning, middle and end. These early understandings make learning to read feel familiar and exciting.

💛 Strengthen phonological awareness
Rhymes, rhythms and playful sounds help children hear the building blocks of language.

💛 Grow their comprehension and thinking skills
Talking together about a story, predicting what might happen, wondering how a character feels, and connecting events to real life helps children develop memory, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking.

💛 Experience connection, comfort and joy
Shared reading fosters calmness, closeness, and moments of joint attention. These warm interactions support a child's sense of security and belonging.

Most importantly, children who experience positive, engaging reading moments from a young age are more likely to develop a genuine love of books - something that matters even more than early literacy skills alone.

Reading is simple, joyful, and sets children up for success in school and life.

Here is a list of some of our favourites below 👇

🖤💛❤️ National Reconciliation Week 2026 ❤️💛🖤

Educators and children embraced National Reconciliation Week and this year’s theme, "All In", by creating a collaborative artwork inspired by the six Noongar seasons.

Through this meaningful project, we explored the Noongar seasonal calendar and deepened our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and perspectives. The theme "All In" encourages everyone to actively participate in reconciliation through learning, understanding, and action.

It was truly an "all in" effort, with children and educators working together to create something special. This experience reminded us of the power of connection, respect, and learning from one another as a community.

We are proud to continue our journey of learning, listening, and walking together. ❤️