Fun for all aboard Bessie the bus!

Spending quality time with your children helps them develop

It’s part of a Scottish Government initiative designed to help encourage parents and carers to play, talk and read with their little ones.

Giving parents and carers of babies to three-year-olds the chance to hop on board, inside there’s ample opportunity for all types of fun.

The bus provides books, toys, interactive storytelling as well as song, rhythm and rhyme sessions.

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, said early years are vital times in a child’s progress and that activities such as these will stand them in good stead for the future. “We can never underestimate the power of play and its crucial role in the positive development of our wee ones.

‘‘The first three years in a child’s life are critical to their development.

‘‘Our PlayTalkRead bus offers free fun for parents and carers of tots, to help give them the very best start in life.

‘‘The good news for mums and dads is you don’t have to wait until your kids are bigger to do fun things together.’’

“We’re really looking forward and to welcoming lots of mums, dads, grandparents, carers and their wee ones on board.

“It’s free, it’s fun and each child that hops on board Bessie will also receive a PlayTalkRead pack to take home.”

Activity on the bus includes demonstrating easy ways for parents to interact with their children during their early years, with lots of low-cost ideas that can all be done at home and incorporated into daily routines.

The PlayTalkRead roadshow is travelling across the country to all 32 local authorities.

You can see when the PlayTalkRead buses will next be in your area on their website by going to www.playtalkread.org/tour