Laura Scott with mum and media manager Kylee Donoghue. Photo: Oliver Jacques
Five-year-old Laura Scott has become the first child to be read 1000 books before school under a new literacy program by Griffith City Library.
The 1000 Books Before School initiative is a free program targeted at those aged 0 to 5, whereby parents download an app and track books read to their children. Its aim is to build critical early literacy skills before children start school.
Laura was read an incredible 1,070 books in just nine months, after the library launched the program in September 2021. The modest high achiever declined to comment to Region Riverina, deferring most responses to her media manager, mum Kylee Donoghue.
“We’ve be reading to her since the day she was born,” Ms Donoghue said.
“She has learned the words to a lot of her favourite books.
“I feel it’s really improved her attention span. She comes to meetings at my work and can sit for over an hour and just paint, without needing to wander around.
“I want her to be happy and confident about who she is and this program has helped with that.”
Laura is already engaged in her community, doing volunteer work with her mum at Riding for the Disabled, which provides therapy, sport and recreation to those who have a disability, through interaction with horses. She feeds the horses and pets them.
Laura Scott pets a horse. Photo: Supplied.
“I love horses,” Laura said.
“My favourite horse is a pony … my favourite book is The Painted Ponies.”
She is also a big fan of the Schnitzel Von Krumm series of children’s books.
“My dad changes the words [when he reads it]… from ‘very low tum’ to ‘very big bum’.”
Laura also paid tribute to her two sisters, Charli, 15, and Shelby, 2, who helped her reach her reading goals.
“Charli reads me books. Shelby cheers me up when I’m sad,” Laura said.
“She says, ‘are you ok’?”
Laura Scott. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Library manager Rina Cannon said the 1000 Books Before School program is open to anyone with a Western Riverina Libraries card. Anyone interested is welcome to go to the library to sign up.
Here’s a profile of the 2022 champion.
Name: Laura Scott
Age: 5
Parents: Kylee and Shane
Hobbies: Swimming, playing with horses
Favourite book: Painted Ponies
Favourite TV show: Spirit
Favourite singer: Pink
Favourite film: Silver Brumby (starring a young Russell Crowe)
Favourite food: Apples
Predicted Future Career: Professional horse trainer
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