Supporting Early Literacy: TSH Literacy Support Program Featured in The West Australian

The importance of early childhood education in developing strong language and literacy skills was recently highlighted in The West Australian on Thursday, 31 July 2025. The article featured an interview with TSH teacher Shannon Rose, who shared valuable insights into the TSH Literacy Support program and its impact on children’s reading, spelling and writing development.

Designed for students in Years 1 to 3, the Literacy Support program provides two-hour sessions focused on explicit teaching and early intervention. These sessions allow children to build foundational literacy skills at their own pace, fostering a lifelong love of reading, spelling and writing.

Over the past 12 months, the program has seen a significant increase in demand – a positive sign that families and educators are recognising the importance of early literacy intervention. Common challenges among children struggling with literacy include difficulties with phonemic awareness which is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate the sounds in words, as well as issues with emotional regulation, attention, and focus.

To address these challenges, the TSH Literacy Support program uses evidence-based approaches such as Sounds Write and Talk for Writing. These programs are delivered in small groups of no more than six children, allowing for tailored support that meets each child’s unique needs.

By integrating proven strategies and focusing on the core components of language, literacy, and early childhood education, the TSH Literacy Support program is helping children build confidence and competence in reading, spelling, and writing, skills that are essential for lifelong learning.