Research suggests that by missing two terms of classroom-based learning, students could be up to six weeks behind in numeracy and up to four weeks behind on reading.
Pre-school learners were also impacted as many parents chose to keep their children home during the height of the pandemic.
In an effort to minimise lasting impact, Tomorrow Today has partnered with Benalla P-12 College to run an interactive program to help accelerate the progress of selected Prep and Year 1 students.
Tomorrow Today secures more than $1 million from state budget
“Our immersion program is delivered by experienced primary school teachers as well as a speech pathologist, and is designed to help students thrive after an interrupted start to school,” said Tomorrow Today executive officer Rosie Koop.
“By using fun and exciting games and activities, we aim to improve students’ literacy and numeracy skills, and the group setting gives them a chance to practice their language and social skills.”
A particular focus of the program is to help build the oral language skills of younger students.
Tomorrow Today student coordinator Cathy Hair said during the lockdowns students did not interact with as many adults and peers as they might normally, so they missed out on developing some of these skills that would normally happen in the classroom.
Tomorrow Today recognises its staff this volunteer week
“Since starting the program, the students have become a lot more talkative,” Ms Hair said.
“They are building their knowledge of words and sentences and their confidence in their reading and writing skill is growing.”
The interactive group sessions run for 45 minutes, four times a week and parents are warmly encouraged to participate with their children.
For more information about the immersion program, please contact Tomorrow Today on 5762 1211.
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