ABC Reading Eggs launches its third annual Read-To-Cure Challenge to get kids excited about reading for a worthy cause

All funds raised will go towards life-saving medical equipment for sick and injured children in paediatric wards, neonatal units, maternity and emergency departments in Australian hospitals.

The event will see children complete as many reading lessons as possible from the ABC Reading Eggs and ABC Reading Eggspress programs. Participants will be given 5 weeks of free access to the multi-award winning online reading programs, which are designed specifically for children aged two to 13.

The ABC Reading Eggs learning suite combines digital gameplay with carefully structured reading lessons and e-books, which allow children to learn to read and build their literacy skills in a fun and highly motivating way.

For every lesson completed, ABC Reading Eggs will donate $1 to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation.* There are also great prizes up for grabs for individual children and schools who complete the most lessons.

ABC Reading Eggs CEO Matthew Sandblom said that the last Read-To-Cure Challenge saw over 10,000 children registering. This year, they hope to double that figure and get 20,000 children participating from all across Australia and New Zealand. 

“There are hundreds of lessons covering reading and comprehension skills that children can complete within the Challenge period. The lessons are designed to be fun, interactive and highly engaging,” says Sandblom.

“We’re keen to come together with the Humpty Dumpty Foundation to inspire young kids to take action and help out other kids. The most special part about the Read-To-Cure Challenge is how motivated so many young kids are to help others just like them who are going through a tough time.”

Mr Sandblom noted that the Challenge will not only help support a vital cause, it will also help Australian and New Zealand children build their literacy skills and get excited about reading books.

“Learning to read is a fundamental part of succeeding in school and later life. Studies have shown that children who learn to read for enjoyment develop a broader vocabulary, stronger literacy skills, and perform better overall in school than those who don’t. Parents play a significant role in encouraging a lifelong love of reading. But many find it difficult to slot in the suggested minimum of three to five times per week of reading with their child, let alone turning it into a daily routine.”

ABC Reading Eggs opens the Read-To-Cure Challenge to any school, preschool or family interested in participating from 31 July 2018. Lessons completed will only be counted during the Challenge period, 7 August to 4 September 2018.