The A Better Start Literacy Approach is a programme in almost half of the country’s state primary schools that has just been recognised with the University of Canterbury’s innovation medal.
The Better Start Literacy Approach started about 9 years ago funded by A Better Start National Science Challenge and we couldn’t be prouder of the mahi and the achievements of this project team.
Professor Gail Gillon co-leads the team which developed the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA).This structured literacy approach, designed for five to seven-year-olds, has been developed by a Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Child Well-Being Research Institute team; led by Professor Gail Gillon (Ngāi Tahu) and Professor Brigid McNeill, and including Associate Professor Alison Arrow and Dr Amy Scott It has so far helped 45,000 children to read and write.
Professor Gillon talks to RNZ’s Susie Ferguson from Nine to Noon, about how the programme works and why it works.
New Zealand schools can still apply to take part in the approach next year, go to a www.betterstartapproach.com to find out more.
