On Sunday 12 th October 2014 during 9.00 am to 12.00 am, department of Social Work; Rajanukul Institute together with Books for Children Foundation held an event Bookstart , which is a project for gathering volunteers to read as a therapy for children with special needs at Shin Soponpanich Conference Hall ; Rajanukul Institute.
The activities began with Ms.Suthathip Thatchayapong, vice president of the Books for Children Foundation, who welcomed 50 families of children with intellectual disabilities and 70 reading volunteers. Then she introduced the project of the first book Bookstart to all participants. After that, Mr.Ruangsak Pinprateep or Pee Toob Pong taught and shared the technique how to fable and read funnily.
According to the individual and different needs of people with intellectual disabilities at each age, families and care takers should have proper knowledge and understanding in taking care of them. Story telling is a strategy to enhance their development appropriately. This project has been held for 5 consecutive years. It intends to use the first book as the main material to build care takers skill and empower the childrens families. Furthermore, it provides opportunities for families and social units to participate in taking care of these target children.