In the lead-up to the state budget on June 13 we focus on key QLD policy issues and programs the LGAQ are campaigning for on behalf of its member councils. This week, the spotlight is on the family literacy initiative First Five Forever.
The LGAQ has called for the upcoming State Budget to provide $20 million to ensure the continuation of a highly 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 Budget submission to Treasurer Curtis Pitt argues the program, which attracts hundreds of thousands of users to libraries across the State, should be continued beyond 2018.
Data released by the Australian Early Development Census in 2012 showed that 26.2% of Queensland children in their first year of school are developmentally vulnerable in language and cognitive skills; a statistic that ranks 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.
Julia Leu, Douglas Shire Mayor and member of the Library Board of Queensland 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, approximately 36% of parents of 0–2-year-olds, and 52% 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% of the Queensland population through participating councils, saw 445,000 attendances to its in-library activities, a 24% increase in library sessions for children aged 0 – 5 and 14,000 hits on the First 5 forever website in the first two months.
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.
Read the full LGAQ 2017–2018 QLD Budget submission here.
Click here to hear from Neuroscientist and Dad, Associate professor Mike Pepper, on why the first five years matter.