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:
Better Beginnings is developed and managed by The State Library of Western Australia and delivered through public libraries. The program is funded via a tri-partite alliance between the Government of Western Australia (including Royalties for Regions), Western Australian local governments and Rio Tinto.
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.
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.
Your preschool child has learned many words and phrases in their early years. Well done guiding them on this journey. For handy tips and activities, download the following flyers for preschool aged children: 2 to 3 years, 3 to 4 years and 4 to 5 years.
Your local library has plenty of books, activities, rhymes and movies to keep your preschool child stimulated and learning. A library membership also gives you free access to audiobooks, which are perfect for long car trips. Not only can you borrow materials for free, but visiting the library is an easy way to enjoy a simple excursion with your child.
Better Beginnings recognises and celebrates Western Australia's diverse Aboriginal cultures, languages and communities. We are working with local Aboriginal language centres and early years educators to translate and produce resources in language for families.
Our dual language Baby Ways book in Noongar, Maawit Mart is available for loan at all local public libraries located on Noongar land.
In November 2021, Better Beginnings launched the Little Fulla Yarns reading pack to support Aboriginal families living in remote communities in the Kimberley and Pilbara to Read, Yarn, Sing, Draw and Play every day with their bub.
The pack is now available across Western Australia.
The Better Beginnings Indigenous Program takes a two-ways approach to bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of learning with ways of teaching and learning in Australian schools.
Many activities that Indigenous families do together can already do this, such as:
We encourage families to Read, Yarn, Sing, Draw, and Play with their child every day through activities and books that share the stories, values, and languages of our WA Indigenous communities.
