Member for Barron River Craig Crawford has encouraged local schools and students to take part in the Premier’s Reading Challenge that gets underway this week.

“We know how important reading is in learning and development for children and the Premier’s Challenge is a great way to get children hooked,” Mr Crawford said.

“I hope that all children will use this as an opportunity to read avidly and develop a love of books and reading.

“In 2016, more than 165,000 students took part in the challenge in Queensland reading more than 2.24 million books.

“This included individual readers and participants from 900 schools and 414 early childhood centres across the state.”

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is open to students from state and non-state schools and runs from 15 May to 25 August.

“This is all about encouraging our students to develop a love of books for life,” Mr Crawford said.

“The earlier we engage our children in reading the better start they will have to their education.

“Children in early childhood centres can participate by sharing group reading experiences.

“Prep to Year 2 students will aim to read or experience 20 books, Years 3 to 4 students will aim to read 20 books, and Years 5 to 9 will aim to read 15 books, reflecting the longer and more challenging books read by this age group,” Mr Crawford said.

Queensland schools and early childhood centres can register for the challenge online: http://www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/readingchallenge/

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