Rub-a-Dub Hub '“ a new online resource launched for parents of young children

Libraries NI has launched Rub-a-Dub Hub, a free online resource with tools, tips and fun activities to enable parents and carers to support preschool children, with confidence, during the early stages of reading and dealing with emotions.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Mar 2016, 12:28 BST

Created by Libraries NI, with input from healthcare and literacy professionals, Rub-a-Dub Hub provides a foundation to help little ones grow and learn as they embark on the first chapter of their lifelong reading adventure.

Rub-a-Dub Hub was developed by Libraries NI and funded by Carnegie Trust UK as part of the Carnegie Library Lab project.

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Irene Knox, Chief Executive of Libraries NI explained: “Libraries NI is delighted to launch Rub-a-Dub Hub, this fabulous new online resource for parents and carers of young children. This new website is at the core of what libraries strive to do – to introduce babies and children to a love of reading and books from birth. There are many time pressures and demands on parents today to provide the best opportunity for their children and this website is an excellent free resource, offering user-friendly information and guidance in the form of video clips, book recommendations, activity sheets for use with specific book titles and much more. We hope that parents will visit this website, which will be constantly updated, to enable them to help their child develop their social, communication and language skills.”

During the launch there were a number of key speakers including Jennifer Wallace, Head of Policy Carnegie Trust UK; Cathy Galway, Acting Director of Families and Communities Directorate from the Department of Education and Jane McConn, Clinical Co-ordinator for Community Speech and Language Therapy Service with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.

Martyn Evans, CEO of the Carnegie UK Trust, added: “Rub-a-Dub Hub exemplifies the innovative thinking that enables libraries to continue to be an essential source for learning and information in a digital age, supporting a more equal society and the wellbeing of individuals and communities. The Carnegie UK Trust is proud to have supported Eileen Russell from Libraries NI and the development of Rub-A-Dub Hub through our Carnegie Library Lab programme.”

To celebrate the launch, Libraries NI is holding a special Rub-a-Dub Hub week from Monday 14 March when libraries will hold a hippo themed Rhythm and Rhyme session. The Rub-a-Dub Hub hippo mascot will visit some libraries across Northern Ireland where free themed rhyme sheets and hippo masks will be given to everyone who attends. Details of Rhythm and Rhyme sessions are available on the Libraries NI website at www.librariesni.org.uk

To enjoy Rub-a-Dub Hub go to www.librariesni.org.uk/sites/radh