Manly mother-of-two Jenny Atkinson is helping to transform child literacy and help kids in hospital stay in touch with their friends with a new app that allows children to create their own online books and libraries.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Skills and Small Business John Barilaro said the Littlescribe app, developed with assistance of a grant from NSW Government-backed Jobs for NSW, is a ground-breaking way to get kids excited and engaged in reading and writing.
“This app helps kids handwrite and create their own online books, form an online book club for their family and friends to join, and connects them to a reading list of more than 8,000 books – it’s another great NSW startup delivering great outcomes,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The Littlescribe app has been embraced at Sydney Children’s Hospital School where sick kids are using it to keep in touch with their classmates, giving them hope and inspiration.
“Littlescribe is also helping Royal Far West, which gives vulnerable country children, a better chance of leading healthier, happier, more productive lives.”
Ms Atkinson, whose daughter is an out-patient at Sydney Children’s Hospital’s chronic pain unit, said she was inspired to share the idea with staff at the hospital’s on-site school.
“I saw the amazing work the in-hospital school does with children in pain and we have been very lucky to receive its support to help Caitlyn,” she said. “When hospital staff saw Littlescribe they were very excited as they saw it could bring the classroom to the hospital bedside keeping children connected to their school friends.
“We are committed to supporting kids through a difficult time by providing as much normality and connection as we can, this includes social connection, emotional support and an ongoing development of their education.”
Jenny has piloted the app at Manly Vale Public School where it is achieving some fantastic results.
“One child, lacked confidence and was a reluctant writer in the classroom. He started with one page as part of a collaborative book and by end of year had written two 12-page books.”
Littlescribe is now working with its founding partners Sydney Children’s Hospital and Royal Far West ahead of its next book launch of ‘Megabonkeramous’.
“Our idea is so big so crazy we created our own word to match the scale of our goal: that every child in Australia will write an original hand written book and create the first global library of books written by kids for kids – it’s megabonkermaus. Yes, we’re a Littlescribe but we’ve got some big bonkers ideas and we think it just might work.”
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