Workshop for bilingual parents

The Beachside Family Centre in Umina will host a workshop to encourage local bilingual parents to become involved in their child's learning and understanding of a native language.

Centre facilitator Ms Debbie Notara said with more and more families from different backgrounds living on the Peninsula, it was important to nurture and preserve language and culture.

"We have a fantastic mix of cultures and languages on the Peninsula," Ms Notara said.

"Parents don't always realise how valuable it is to read to children in their native language as well as English."

"There are myths that two languages will overload a child when in fact we only use about 20 per cent of our brain capacity.

"Or another myth is that it will stop children learning English properly if they learn another language.

"Again while language development may sometimes take a little longer, children will have no problems with English at the end of the day."

Ms Notara said teaching children a second language not only gives them an intellectual boost - it even helps their brain to function better for later learning.

"A Make-a-Book Family Workshop is being held for bilingual parents and carers to encourage exposure to other languages through making and reading your own book," Ms Notara said.

"Reading to babies from birth is vital for all children and if a parent is able to read in their native language then that is just a bonus.

"At the Make-a-Book Family Workshop you and your kids can make a book in your native language that your child will love to read again and again."

The Make-a-Book family workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 30, from 10am to 11.30am.

Partipants are asked to provide a gold coin donation and call 4343 1929 to reserve a place.

The Beachside Family Centre is located in the grounds of Umina Public School, Sydney Ave.

Press release, 26 May 201 Debbie Notara, Beachside Family Centre