Kununurra markets welcome new Read, Rhyme and Shine pop-up stall for kids

Kununurra markets is set to ring with rousing renditions of Polly Put the Kettle On And Old Macdonald Had A Farm thanks to a new stall set to be a hit with the babies.

From next month, Kununurra School and Community Library will have a pop-up Rhyme Time stall at Whitegum Park every Saturday morning to promote the value of the early literacy program.

Called Read, Rhyme and Shine the stall will be filed with books, instruments, felt boards and sensory toys as well as bean bags and cushions for little people and their grown-ups to settle into.

Librarian Cesarina Fitzgerald said the stall was made possible through a State Library WA Better Beginnings grant.

“We used the grant to purchase resources and materials and support staff to create a new outdoor early literacy pop-up stall. We are piloting the program at the Kununurra markets this dry season,” she said.

Ms Fitzgerald said the aim of the pop-up stall was to reach families that don’t come to, or don’t know about, the popular Rhyme Time sessions held at the library twice a week.

“People don’t need to feel pressured to have good literacy skills themselves because the interactions will still help their babies and children, through talking and singing,” she said.

The aim of library Rhyme Time is to develop infants and toddlers foundational literacy skills by encouraging language development through song.

Ms Fitzgerald said the stall should be entertaining for children aged up to six.

“We will have sensory materials as well so there will be kids that can already speak and have some foundational literacy that may still want to engage and sing a song,” she said.

“Staff will be there facilitating interactions with the space for about two hours each Saturday morning.”

The set opening times for the stall have not yet been finalised but Ms Fitzgerald said it will most likely be from 9-11am.

Ms Fitzgerald said they were also hoping to set up the Read, Rhyme and Shine stall at other community events this dry season.