Support babies to learn and grow

Better Beginnings encourages all families to Read, Talk, Sing, Write and Play with their child every day. 

As library practitioners, we recognise that a child's first and most important teacher is their parent. 
We know that literacy begins at birth and that seventy five percent of brain development happens in a child's first three years of life. As such, a library’s role is to: 

FAQs

Better Beginnings provides every baby in Western Australia with a free reading pack. Parents with newborn babies in Western Australia can collect a free Better Beginnings reading pack from their local library or from their Community Child Health Nurse.  The Baby pack includes: 

Reading Helps Kids Fly

Better Beginnings was inspired by the UK’s Book Start program, the world’s first national book gifting program which aimed to provide free books to every child in England and Wales and inspire families to build their child’s love of books and reading from birth. 

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

The Western Australian Government is committed to quality service to its customers and makes every attempt to ensure accuracy, currency and reliability of the data contained in these documents. However, changes in circumstances after time of publication may impact the quality of this information. Confirmation of the information may be sought from originating bodies or departments providing the information.

Reading tips for Kindergarten children

Your four-year-old has learned many words and phrases over the past four years. Well done guiding them on this journey. For some handy tips and activities download the following flyer for 4 - 5 year old children.

Take them to their local library and encourage them to choose books to take home. You can borrow 12 books at a time from most libraries.

Help your child love reading

Your local library has plenty of books, activities, rhymes and movies to keep your four-year-old stimulated and learning. A library membership also gives you free access to audio books, which are perfect for long car trips. Not only can you borrow materials for free, but visiting the library is an easy way to have a simple excursion with your child.

Help your toddler love reading

The brain is developing very quickly at this age, which could explain why your toddler seems to be running a hundred miles a minute.  Did you know by the age of three, your toddler’s brain is 75 percent the size of an adult brain? No wonder they’re so excited by the world and have developed such strong opinions! Their personalities really start to come out at this age.