SUPPORT NETWORK
In recognition of the role of play co-ordinators, who often work alone within each prison, Kids VIP aims to provide opportunities to network and learn from each other. This is currently achieved through holding annual co-ordinator meetings and issuing regular newsletters.
Upcoming meetings for play-coordinators
Contact admin@kidsvip.co.uk for further details.
The First Fathers’ Story Week 14th-20th June
Kids VIP has teamed up with the Fatherhood Institute to adapt its resources for the prison visits environment.
The aim of Fathers’ Story Week is to get Dad’s involved in children’s learning and development. Prison visits are the only opportunity most offenders have of supporting their child’s learning and the many benefits this brings both father and child.
Download these free resources for ideas you might use to enable your prison to become involved in Fathers’ Story Week and encourage better interaction between visiting children and their fathers.
To find out more about Father’s Story week visit www.fathersstoryweek.org or call us on 01444 484475 or email admin@kidsvip.co.uk if you would like more advice and ideas. Let us know how you got on so we can feature your events in our next newsletter.
The National Rhyme Challenge
The aim of the Bookstart Rhyme Challenge is to encourage under 5s love of rhymes and reading in a fun and informal way (although it can also be used for older children). It is also an excellent way to encourage prisoners and their children and carers’ to use rhymes as a way of being involved in their child’s learning. Using The Rhyme Challenge could provide a theme for play sessions within the play area in the prison Visits Hall, in the Visitors Centre, or as a theme for Family Day/Children’s Day visits.
There is no time limit for the Bookstart challenge but Kids VIP are running our own competition for prison play settings. We will award a prize to three prisons across the country that we feel have run the Rhyme Challenge in the most innovative way. To enter, please email or write to us describing the activities you have developed to support children’s visiting experience. For example, developing activities around the rhymes such as puppet making, activities that children can take to the visits table for families to do together during the visit, or activities that visiting parents/carers can continue at home with their children.
We would like written entries and any photos to be sent or emailed to us by the 31st August 2010. We will be awarding certificates and a prize to the 3 winning prisons. We will also feature all your Rhyme Challenge activities in our autumn newsletter.
To order your free Rhyme Challenge pack email admin@kidsvip.co.uk. Let us know if you are also entering our awards to receive Rhyme booklets to give out to children.