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Cork County Council Library and Arts Service is delighted to introduce NEWSTART, its new early years literacy programme supporting numeracy, literacy and writing skills.
NEWSTART, supported by the Department of Rural & Community Development and Dormant Account funds, is a free programme which offers literacy information and practical videos, in addition to Touch-Type Read and Spell (TTRS), a multi-sensory online course that teaches touch-typing, reading and spelling at the same time.
The programme aims to help children & adults with reading, writing, spelling, counting, keyboard skills and literacy issues such as dyslexia and dyspraxia. It will also benefit students and adults who experience literacy difficulties, as well as those learning English as a second language (ESL).
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley welcomed the initiative, saying
The Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting disruption to education has impeded learning for many but has especially impacted children with literacy issues or similar challenges. NEWSTART provides invaluable resources, tuition and advice and I think it will be of great benefit and support to parents, children, adults and families who need it across County Cork.
The programme also offers users a TTRS Licence which provides step-by-step online tuition with feedback and scores, which can be accessed in school or privately at home.
A NEWSTART pack featuring valuable advice, such as book recommendations, story time skills, early reader lists and homework hints, will be provided to help parents and carers support their child with numeracy, literacy and writing. Informational videos with practical tips and hints will be delivered by an Occupational Therapist and Dyslexia Tutor. A notepad and pen are also included in the pack to encourage doodling and creative writing.
For more information, visit www.corkcoco.ie/library-services or contact your local Cork County Council Library and Arts Service branch or mobile library.
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