Wriggle and Rhyme Programme is a Winner

Auckland libraries has won the Project Collaboration Award at the 2011 Sport and Recreation Awards for our Wriggle and Rhyme programme.

The award, which was presented on Tuesday, recognises the unique partnership between Auckland Libraries, Sport Auckland, Sport Waitakere, Counties Manukau Sport and Harbour Sport, which has enabled children and their parent/caregivers to participate in Wriggle & Rhyme programmes in libraries across the Auckland region . Wriggle and Rhyme encourages 0-2 year olds to learn and participate in movement to assist with brain development. The theory is that movement is a child’s first language and the basis of early learning and reading. For parents and caregivers the opportunity to learn the skills and develop an awareness of the importance of active movement for young children is invaluable.

Free weekly sessions are offered in 50 libraries across Auckland and in its first year 70,000 children and caregivers particpated."Wriggle & Rhyme is one of our most effective programmes. It aligns with the role of libraries in supporting reading, literacy and learning for all ages, and it helps build strong communities,” says Allison Dobbie, Libraries and Information Manager, Auckland Council.

Ashlie Gauld, Special Projects Manager of Sport Auckland says the success of the project is due to the innovation and hard work that each partner organisation has contributed.

Wriggle and Rhyme evolved from Sport and Recreation NZ’s (SPARC’s) Active Movement for Babies programme. It is based on their initiative to provide positive movement experiences to stimulate development of the brain and body in youngsters. First implemented as a partnership between Sport Auckland and Auckland City Libraries in 2008, it proved so successful that a wider partnership between the regional sports trusts, Councils and libraries in the Auckland region was formed in 2009. Funding was provided by SPARC and then implemented across all libraries. Meanwhile Auckland Libraries also run two other successful pre-school programme - Storytime and Rhymetime.