ACTIF STORYTELLING ROLLED OUT ACROSS THE COUNTY

A scheme to promote activity and better physical literacy in youngsters is now being rolled out across Carmarthenshire.

Already the popular Actif Storytime sessions are being delivered from town libraries, leisure centres and some family centres, but further funding means that children attending pre school settings and rural libraries can get involved.

Actif Storytime is all about getting children active through books. Instead of just sitting and listening, children can act alongside their favourite characters during storytime reading.

Storytellers focus on active words and youngsters get to walk, jump and crawl just like their favourite characters.

The idea is to promote and develop fundamental life skills at an early age by engaging and challenging children’s thinking using real life and imaginary situations.

Sian Cook commented on the council’s sport and leisure Facebook page: “My two daughters love the Actif Storytime sessions. We have been to several at Carmarthen Library and recently went to the Llandysul Paddlers open day where they loved doing ‘We are going on a Bear Hunt’. They have set up their own version and acted out their own Actif Storytime in the garden today.”

The community project is funded by the Welsh Government through the Play Sufficiency scheme and coordinated by the council’s sports development team.

The council’s area sport and leisure manager, Gary Price said: “We’re thrilled to have secured further funding so that more children benefit from taking part in these sessions. These sessions will provide a solid foundation for children to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to enable them to engage with confidence across a wide variety of activities.”