Reading Matters to Me

Around the world reading is in trouble. Here in Australia, the ABS has estimated that almost 44% of Australians don’t have the necessary skills to participate in daily activities where reading and writing is required, and the Grattan Institute has found that around one-third of Australia's 4 million school children can't read.

This session considers the history of literacy programs in Australia and around the world, why literacy matters and what we can do to get Australia reading. The session will also consider how young people can be powerful advocates for issues that matter to them.

Drawing inspiration from the former New Zealand PM Jacinda Adern, who read the beloved classic Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy to the nation as part of a televised Christmas broadcast, students will consider the book they would like to see the Australian PM read to the nation and the ways in which this might help promote literacy and reading to young children.

• What are the benefits of reading:
• to children before they can read themselves
• to people once they can read
• to the community in general
• What are the risks associated with not being able to read?
• What books do you think are best to share with little children?
• What is advocacy and why does it matter?
• What book would you want the PM to read to the nation and why?