Resources available to help with first 5 years

As a parent or primary caregiver, you play a crucial role in shaping your child's future. The First 5 Forever program offers invaluable support to enhance your child's language and literacy skills during their formative years. Here's how you can utilise First 5 Forever resources to empower your child:

1. Engage in Program Sessions: Take advantage of the various sessions offered by First 5 Forever, such as Baby Time, Toddler Time, and Story Time, available at public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across Queensland. These sessions provide enriching experiences for your child and promote early literacy skills.
   
2. Utilise Resources: Access the parent and caregiver toolkit provided by First 5 Forever, which includes age-appropriate books, fact sheets, nursery rhyme CDs, and play-based activities. These resources are designed to facilitate learning and development in a fun and interactive way.
   
3. Collaborate with Educators and Health Professionals: First 5 Forever collaborates with local Early Childhood educators, Child Health Nurses, and community services to offer additional support to parents and caregivers. Take advantage of these partnerships to gain valuable insights and resources for your child's holistic development.
   
4. Embrace Your Role: Recognise that you are your child's first and most important teacher. Engage in activities like reading together, sharing rhymes, singing songs, telling stories, and playing with your child. These interactions are fundamental to their social, cognitive, emotional, and language development.
   
5. Start Early: Begin nurturing your child's love for language and literacy from birth. Research emphasises the significance of early literacy experiences in shaping future academic success. Reading with your child, even from infancy, lays the foundation for lifelong learning.
   
6. Stay Consistent: Make language and literacy activities a part of your daily routine. Consistent engagement with your child promotes continuity in their learning journey and fosters a supportive environment for their development.

By actively participating in the First 5 Forever program and implementing these strategies, you can effectively support your child's language and literacy development, setting them on the path to success in school and beyond. Remember, the first five years are crucial, and your involvement makes a significant difference in your child's future achievements.

This article has been written to help increase the knowledge and understanding of the Bundaberg community and is part of Bundaberg Regional Libraries First 5 Forever. 

First 5 Forever is an initiative of the Queensland Government, coordinated by State Library of Queensland and delivered in partnership with local government.