I always knew reading to my kids was important, but this has opened my eyes to how important and how much.
Parent
Better Beginnings - Making a Difference
I always felt stupid reading to her. Now I know it’s the right thing to do.
Parent, ECU Better Beginnings Evaluation 2009
Edith Cowan University is conducting an independent longitudinal evaluation of Better Beginnings. The first report, released in 2009, studied the effectiveness of the program over a three year period from 2007–2009. The study demonstrates that Better Beginnings is having a significant positive impact on early reading practices, attitudes and beliefs across Western Australia with:
- Eighty five percent of mothers surveyed reporting that they read to their child after receiving the Better Beginnings reading packs (only 14% of these mothers reported reading to their child beforehand).
- Sixty two percent of mothers reporting that their confidence in sharing books with their child had increased after being involved in Better Beginnings.
- Seventy nine percent of those surveyed reporting that Better Beginnings had influenced their beliefs about the importance of sharing books with their child.
- The average number of books suitable for reading to the child in the home increasing from 15 to 49.
- Twenty three percent of parents taking out library membership for their child.
In 2010 Edith Cowan University revisited families who had received a Better Beginnings reading pack in 2007. The evaluation shows that Better Beginnings is continuing to have a positive impact on early literacy practices with parents establishing a range of effective book sharing practices and children developing early literacy behaviors that will assist them in learning to read and write. Better Beginnings has reinforced and extended parents’ knowledge and beliefs and provided new understandings and practices that have been sustained over time. Click here to read more about the Better Beginnings research.
