One million participants have now engaged with the innovative early literacy program First Five Forever.
Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch, said the program had proven to be an exceptional resource to introduce families to libraries and literacy.
“It is vital we reach all Queensland families with engaging, accessible literacy activities in libraries and where families meet in the community,” Ms Enoch said.
“With up to 90 per cent of brain development happening in the first five years of life, the program supports parents at a critical time.”
“Families in Logan were recently invited to play mud soccer, cook in the mud pie bakery, and get seriously dirty while First 5 Forever staff shared the importance of talking, singing, reading and playing with children in the early years,” she said.
First 5 Forever is coordinated by the State Library of Queensland and delivered through the state’s network of more than 320 Queensland public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres.
State Librarian and CEO Vicki McDonald said more than a million participants have been recorded at outreach venues and libraries since the First 5 Forever initiative began in 2015, with nearly 50,000 free sessions tailored to the needs of local communities.