Southend-on-Sea Libraries are offering British Sign Language sessions for their Summer Reading Challenge.
The Summer Reading Challenge has started with accessibility sessions included this year. These sessions are designed for hearing impaired children and will allow children to talk about the books that they have read using British Sign Language.
The sessions are available at The Forum: Southend Library on Wednesdays between 9:30am-12pm and 1-2:30pm and Thursdays between 9:30-11:30am throughout the summer holidays (excluding Wednesday 16 August).
Cllr Derek Jarvis, cabinet member for arts, culture, heritage and leisure, said: “This is the first time that we have had volunteers who are able to use British Sign Language to communicate with children doing the Summer Reading Challenge. Inclusivity is at the heart of Libraries so it's great to be able to expand the offer in this way."
This year's Summer Reading Challenge, Ready, Set, Read! is a celebration of reading, sport, games and play. By encouraging your child to take part, it will help boost their literacy skills through the long summer holidays. It also allows children to become more independent in their reading and when choosing books and encourages using imagination and empathy.
Children choose six books to read over the holidays and earn rewards including a Ready, Set, Read! storyboard and special stickers for each book read. When they have read all six books and completed the challenge they receive a certificate, a medal and a swimming voucher.