Dyslexia Friendly Collection

The more you read, the easier it becomes. But for those who struggle with words, reading is not always fun, and it’s easy to lose heart and stop trying.

Tea Tree Gully Library has recently made it easier to find dyslexia-friendly books and audiobooks by putting them in their own space  in the children’s and teen areas. They now have signage and coloured labels so they are easy to find.

To search for dyslexia friendly books, type in ‘dyslexia’ in the catalogue, just like below, and from there you can select the ‘dyslexia’ boxes on the left-hand side.

dyslexia friendly

Dyslexia primarily affects the ability to learn, read and spell. Sometimes maths is affected as well.  It’s important to remember that having dyslexia is not related to someone’s general intelligence. It comes from a difficulty in dealing with the sounds of words. People with dyslexia often find it hard to remember lists of things they have heard, or to remember names or facts quickly, although they often have strengths in reasoning, visual and creative fields.

Features of Dyslexia Friendly Books:

  • A font style and size that is clear to read.
  • Off-white paper that is kinder to the eyes as it reduces glare from the high contrast of black against white.
  • Spacing between letters, lines and paragraphs
  • Age appropriate content and story lines but with less text to a page and more pictures
  • Shorter chapters to give the eyes natural ‘rest’ breaks

Where are they located?

Children’s Area: Find them in the area near the book series boxes.

DXf-C

Book stickers on Dyslexia Friendly Collection (DXF-C) in the children’s area of Tea Tree Gully Library

DXFC

You can find dyslexia friendly books and audio books among the Children’s book series boxes in the Children’s Area.

Teens Area: You can find them on the last shelf facing the public computers.

Stickers on the Dyslexia Friendly Books in the Teen Area

Stickers on the Dyslexia Friendly Books in the Teen Area

Find the DXF-T books in the shelf that faces the computers (in the Teen Area).

Find the DXF-T books in the shelf that faces the computers (in the Teen Area).

We hope our new collections appeal to children and young people who have dyslexia or who are reluctant to read. May they inspire a new love of reading!

Baby Bounce babies learn quick and develop skills fast

Baby Bounce

Some of the regulars who attend Baby Bounce at Tea Tree Gully Library

The benefits of Tea Tree Gully Library’s Baby Bounce and Rhyme program are immense for babies and their mothers. In 2014 the Library added a third weekly session of Baby Bounce due to demand – and ever since, that session (Friday 12-12.30pm) has become our most popular timeslot!

Baby Bounce regular Elizabeth Cragg-Sapsford, from Modbury North brings baby daughter Lillian to a session every week. She said she was the first in her group of friends with children to hear about Baby Bounce and give it a go.

‘Lillian loves it. She does all the actions and is a quick learner. You just have to say ‘Open shut them’ to her and she starts doing the actions,’ Elizabeth says.

‘I love to be busy and I love to engage Lillian. Baby Bounce is free and it’s at a good time for me on a Thursday – it fits in with my life and my to-do list. It’s part of our routine.’

Lillian was born premature, and even though doctors had recommended various specialists and programs at leading Adelaide hospitals to improve her development skills, Elizabeth says she’s never required them.

‘Lillian was a premmie baby and since doing Baby Bounce she hasn’t had to go to any special development appointments or classes at the hospital. She hasn’t needed it. She has the same language skills and sounds as any other baby her age. She can make heaps of different sounds. When she says ‘hi/bye’ it’s really clear. Same when she says ‘mum or dad’.

Growing up, Elizabeth was surrounded by a family deeply involved in music, something she wanted Lillian to experience as early as possible.

‘Baby Bounce puts music into her life, it’s like music therapy. She’s doing so well.

‘At the hospital they offered a pediatric class and physio/speech therapy sessions for early born babies and I haven’t had to do that at all with Lillian or give her any special intervention.

‘Seeing Lillian engage in singing and nursery rhymes has been great. She wasn’t a baby who initially slept well. Now she seems more relaxed and settles easily.

‘I’ve met another lady through Baby Bounce and we’ve become close and now we have formed a friendship group. All of the kids get along really well.’

It heartens Elizabeth to see Lillian’s bright eyes, smiling face and quick responses at the Baby Bounce sessions, which she plans to keep attending, until she’s ready for the next level – Toddler Time!

‘I think the group sessions work. I could have looked up nursery rhymes on YouTube and played them to her but then she wouldn’t have had the group stimulation or seen all the babies around her doing all the actions. It’s definitely helped me as a mother, taking her to the Baby Bounce sessions and participating in a group and something bigger.

‘She loves it – she’s already starting to clap when we walk into the library.’

Baby Bounce is held at the Tea Tree Gully Library three times every week. It is an interactive way for parents and carers to introduce babies to the enjoyment of sharing nursery rhymes, action songs and simple percussion instruments. Sessions are lively, interactive and stimulating for both babies and carers. For ages 0-2 years.

Times:

Wednesday: 10:30am – 11am

Thursday: 10:30am – 11am

Friday: 12 -12.30pm

Baby Bounce sessions are all free! No bookings are required. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to get a seat. Please note sessions are only held on Thursdays during school holidays.