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 to Read, Yarn, Sing, Draw and Play every day with their bub. This program is currently being rolled out to remote communities across the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
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.
The State Library of Western Australia provides access to a number of great online resources for kids. These are listed below and are free to access from home or at your public library with your local Western Australian public library or State Library membership card.
Better Beginnings encourages all families to Read, Talk, Sing, Write and Play with their child every day, but sometimes it can be hard to think of things to do. Better Beginnings is here to help! Our Home Literacy Calendar is packed full of fun, easy things you can do together at home that will help develop your child’s early literacy skills and turn your child into a reader. Print it out and stick it on your fridge for some daily inspiration!
Children's literature specialists from the State Library of Western Australia compiled the booklists below. Containing a selection of great books for children aged 0-5. Ask for the books at your local public library and if you can’t find the title mentioned in the booklist, look for other books by the same author or illustrator and try them instead! Your local librarian is a great source of knowledge and you can always ask them for suggestions. You can find your nearest library using
The Better Beginnings Indigenous Program aims to support Aboriginal families across Western Australia to engage in early literacy practices at home with their child.
Your little one is all grown up and is just about ready to go to school, where they will learn lots of different things with their teacher. Your child many be very excited and want to share everything they’ve done during their day, with you and the rest of their family. Ask your child lots of questions, like, “What was the most fun thing you did today?” and, “What games did you play?”
Keep your child talking as much as you can. It’s great for their language and conversation skills.
