Storytime Foundation and Taonga mō ngā Tamariki

In August 2024, the Storytime Foundation updated its website. An excerpt from the home page:

Storytime Foundation helps to strengthen whānau facing adversity in Aotearoa by supporting the building of bonds between a parent and child.

Early attachment can significantly improve outcomes in life for tamariki and their wider family and is especially important during the first 1000 days.

Reading together is one of the most effective ways to create these bonds and has positive effects on literacy and communication.

Storytime Foundation provides free books, education, and resources to New Zealand’s most vulnerable families in partnership with Well Child Tamariki Ora/Pēpi Ora and Family Start providers, Ministry of Education, and Department of Corrections.

An excerpt from Taonga mō ngā Tamariki:

Taonga mō ngā Tamariki (Treasures for our Children)

This programme extends Storytime Foundation’s reach to parents under the care or management of Ara Poutama Aotearoa/Department of Corrections who have children aged 0-12 years.

The Taonga mō ngā Tamariki programme shares with parents and caregivers the benefits of reading, storytelling, singing and playing with children. It gives whānau access to a choice of books and resources tailored to their languages and interests, and that support their culture and identity.

It provides them with the skills, confidence, and encouragement to play with and read to their tamariki.

It is argued that building these skills will lead to parents and caregivers enjoying time reading with their children, which serves to strengthen the attachment and connection between children and their parents, thereby reducing the likelihood of recidivism.

Ultimately, the evidence suggests that these conditions support and positively impact the wellbeing of parents and tamariki, including generating educational benefits, and that these lasting effects can help disrupt the cycle of offending.

Taonga mō ngā Tamariki in action

Taonga mō ngā Tamariki (TMNT) is based on an adaptation of the Early Reading Together®/Reading Together® Te Pānui Ngātahi programmes and combines books, games and resources with workshops.

It is designed to inform and foster positive whānau-tamariki relationships and is delivered to parents currently under the care or management of Ara Poutama Aotearoa/Department of Corrections. TMNT is delivered nationwide both in secure Corrections facilities as well as Community Corrections facilities.

Additional Information:

• Evaluation of Taonga mō ngā Tamariki