In the lead up to the Queensland state election we focus on key issues the LGAQ are campaigning for on behalf of its members. This week the spotlight is on the family literacy initiative First Five Forever.
The LGAQ has called on whichever party forms government after the state election to provide $20 million to ensure the continuation of a high successful literacy program involving council libraries.
The First Five Forever program helps council libraries provide family literacy programs tailored to engage babies to five-year-olds and their parents.
The LGAQ’s 10-point State Election Plan argues the program, which has attracted more than a million participants to libraries and library coordinated outreach programs across the state, should be continued beyond 2018.
“Council libraries are strategically placed to deliver early learning and family literacy services,” the plan argues.
“Public libraries are answering the call to action on a scale never seen before.”
“Libraries have the potential to reach 98 percent of the population, especially babies and children under five years and their families/carers at a critical time in their life and development.”
Data released by the Australian Early Development Census in 2012 showed that 26.2% of Queensland children in their first year of school were developmentally vulnerable in language and cognitive skills; a statistic that ranked Queensland sixth behind other states.
First Five Forever, established in 2015, strives to change this by connecting children and families to public libraries and information and resources and to bring about positive literacy changes.
The program includes targeted sessions for babies, and toddlers in libraries and indigenous knowledge centres. It also provides advice and support for parents on how to engage with their children outside of the library through rhyming, playing, singing and increasing their own use of adjectives and verbs in everyday language.
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu, a member of the Queensland State Library Board, said the program had become a vital tool for carers and parents.
“The program has been incredibly successful in Douglas Shire. I have seen young mums and dads; carers and grandparents take full advantage of the program that has become crucial in developing literacy skills in those critical first years. Not only that, the program has created a positive buzz around the library and encouraged people to take advantage of the array of services offered," Mayor Leu said.
The First 5 Forever program is co-ordinated by State Library of Queensland (SLQ) and delivered in partnership with local councils and the network of over 320 Queensland public libraries, Indigenous Knowledge Centres and non-government agencies.
The program is supported by a large body of longitudinal evidence that suggests early childhood development is critical in determining lifelong outcomes. Up to 90% of a child’s brain development occurs in the first five years and literary skills are a key predictor of academic potential. Poor health and social outcomes in later life are also associated with underdeveloped literacy skills.
In Queensland, about 36 percent of parents of 0–2-year-olds and 52 percent of parents of 3–8-year-olds do not regularly engage their children in informal learning opportunities such as reading.
A report released in December 2016, showed that in its first year, the program not only delivered on all key outputs, it exceeded original expectations. The program, which covers 98 percent of the Queensland population through participating councils, saw a 24 percent increase in library sessions for children aged 0 – 5.
The LGAQ is campaigning for the $20 million to provide certainty for public libraries and the regional jobs created under this program and to build on the demonstrated success of the current funding package.
Click here to hear from Neuroscientist and Dad, Associate professor Mike Pepper, on why the first five years matter.