Premier’s Reading Challenge for early childhood

Get ready for The Premier’s Reading Challenge early childhood participation period 14 to 25 August 2023.

Register now! 

This annual event is a great way to improve literacy and encourage young children to share reading experiences for pleasure and learning.  Last year over 167,000 participants from more than 940 schools, 340 early childhood centres, and individuals, read more than 2.3 million books! 

Reading at home 
 
Parents, guardians, siblings and grandparents can play their part in this initiative by reading books at home with children. Keep a record of your shared reading sessions on the early childhood reader record. 

Practical tips for parents and carers 

Encourage children to engage with a range of texts. Here are some more ways to get children reading:  

• make time to read aloud with children every day 

• ensure reading time is fun and exciting 

• engage children in play with words and sounds 

• suggest books children will enjoy 

Early childhood centres

During the challenge, early childhood centres are encouraged to participate by keeping track of the total number of experiences children have with books or other literacy activities over a 7-day period. 
 
There is no specific reading quota for early childhood centres. Every book experience contributes to fostering children's love of reading.  

Centres and children who participate in the challenge will receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier of Queensland. To receive the certificate, centres must have read at least one book. 

We encourage you to celebrate children’s literacy activities and experiences with texts by holding presentation ceremonies during the PRC Celebration Weeks from 30 October – 10 November 2023. 

Information kit 

For more information, view the early childhood centre information kit. This kit provides a comprehensive guide to support your participation in the challenge. 

Book lists 
 
Children can choose their own books or adults can find reading inspiration from the early childhood book list. There’s also an interactive book tally chart to help record the number of reading experiences you share together. 

Book lists are also available in a range of languages including: 

• Chinese  

• French  

• German   

• Indonesian 

• Italian    

• Japanese 
   

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Visit the First 5 Forever website to subscribe. 

Register now and join in the fun with the 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge for younger readers!