Alpacas with Maracas

By Holly Williams – educator at Cire Children’s CentreYarra Junction

With the catchy theme of ‘Alpacas and Maracas’, toddlers from the Cire Children’s Centre at Yarra Junction were well and truly hooked for National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday 22 May.

Alpacas with MaracasOur Toddlers Room joined more than 1,085,587 participants across Australia and New Zealand for the nation-wide reading which is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).  It is the first time Cire has participated and we are already looking forward to future as part of our innovative learning program.

Gathering outside to enjoy our natural environment and sunshine, we started our Alpacas and Maracas session with an acknowledgement of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. The children joined in with their own actions and appreciation before sitting on the mat, sharing their wonder and interest in the story time.

Using technology, we were able to view the video in Auslan with the story being signed to be inclusive of all our educators and children.

The children shared their joy as they laughed and giggled, joining in on the actions throughout the story and shaking their maracas as we engaged within the group.

As part of National Simultaneous Storytime, every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

Now in its 19th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum.

The aim is to promote:

  • the value of reading and literacy
  • the value and fun of books
  • an Australian writer and publisher

promote story time activities in public libraries and communities around the country, and provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion.

Cire Children’s Services is one of the four core operations of Cire Services Inc.

We proudly operate a range of quality children’s services at multiple sites across the Yarra Ranges in order to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve.

We program include long day care incorporating a funded kindergarten program, occasional care, outside school hours care, vacation care and playgroups.

We provide opportunities, skills and support for both children and families.  We believe in the individuality of each child and promote a holistic approach to education and care which encompasses the overall health and wellbeing of every child who attends our services.