Better Beginnings Family Literacy Program

Develop a library habit early - give children a head start!

Did you know that the foundations of reading need to be laid long before children reach school?

Research conducted in the United Kingdom has shown that introducing a young child to the library is one of the most significant things a parent can do to make a difference to their child�s later education.

To introduce young children and parents to great books and early literacy activities, the State Library of Western Australia has developed Better Beginnings.

Better Beginnings

Better Beginnings is:

• a universal family literacy program
• for Western Australian children
• aged from birth to three years and their families.

Better Beginnings Evaluation

Edith Cowan University has been conducting an independent evaluation of the Better Beginnings Program. The report Better Beginnings: Making a Difference: An Evaluation of the Better Beginnings Family Literacy Program 2007-2009 (PDF)was launched by the Minister for Culture and the Arts, Hon John Day on 17 February 2009. 

You can read the Selected Key Findings from Making A Difference:The Evaluation of the Better Beginnings Family Literacy Program� (PDF).

In partnership with the Rio Tinto WA Future Fund and Local Governments throughout WA, the State Government Better Beginnings is being rolled out statewide.

Since 2004, Better Beginnings has:

• given over 50,000 books and reading kits for Western Australian families with babies under 12 months
• one hundred and fifteen local governments � including the entire Pilbara, South-West and Perth metropolitan areas - participating in the program. 

This means that this financial year, 97% (27,859 babies) will be reached by Better Beginnings.  The program has been enthusiastically embraced by Western Australians and health professionals with wide recognition of the value of the program.

Ask your public library if Better Beginnings is in your community. 

Find out more about BB by visiting our website.

And check out the wonderful TumbleBooks website for a new way of sharing stories!