Researchers launch video on project in Christchurch

A video showing the Challenge’s Successful Learning team at work in Christchurch schools was launched at the Literacy and Learning Symposium, held at the University of Canterbury on 26 and 27 October. A key project within the Successful Learning priority research theme is a trial to test a tool to identify children who may have difficulties gaining literacy at pre-school, with a follow-up intervention to bring the children back on track through Year 1 at school.

Co-hosted by UC and the A Better Start National Science Challenge, this year’s symposium brought together international and national researchers across fields of literacy, education, language learning, psychology, public health and speech language therapy, to highlight the exciting interdisciplinary developments in facilitating young children’s literacy success and healthy wellbeing.

Several international speakers presented over the two day symposium, including Professor Laura Justice from Ohio State University, who delivered a well-received keynote presentation on the first day.Senior Ngai Tahu leader Lynne-Harata Te Aika (Ngā Tahu) gave the Day 2 keynote, which explored macro and micro impacts on Māori intergenerational bilingualism and literacy for Ngāi Tahu living in Te Waipounamu (South Island of New Zealand). Lynne-Harata, the general manager of Te Taumatua: Culture and Identity for the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.  has recently joined the Kahui, the Maori advisory group, providing strategic guidance to A Better Start National Science Challenge.