On-line Reading Made Easy for WA Kids

Western Australian kids can now join millions of children worldwide reading interactive books on-line. Free access to the delightful collection of on-line animated and talking books is as simple as logging on to the Better Beginnings Family Literacy Program or State Library website.

Better Beginnings Program Coordinator Nola Allen said reading books to children on-line is a new way to engage them and develop their reading and literacy skills, plus prepare them for the digital world they live in.

Tumblebooks“The thousands of books provided through our subscription to TumbleBooks are available through our website and suitable for all age groups,” said Ms Allen. “There are picture books, story books and information books for children from two to twelve to read and listen to as well as puzzles and games to play.”

To celebrate this new electronic resource provided by the State Library and Better Beginnings, a multi-award winning program supported by Rio Tinto WA Future Fund, it will be unveiled and demonstrated for the first time during the Perth International Arts Festival Family Day Event. This will take place on the 24 February from 9.30am to 3.00pm in the iiNet Internet Café, near the Arts Faculty Courtyard, University of Western Australia.

“We’re really looking forward to showing parents this great resource and how easy it is to use at home,” said Ms Allen.

Better BeginningsThe State Library’s Better Beginnings tent will be hosting families with children under the age of five running story and rhyme sessions, craft and reading activities all day. For parents and others interested in fostering their children’s reading, author Kate Forsyth and Dr Caroline Barratt-Pugh from Edith Cowan University, will be discussing ways to “grow readers” from 11-12 in the Dolphin Theatre.

“These sessions and activities reinforce the fact that children who have early exposure to books, stories, reading, rhymes and libraries learn to read more successfully, achieve greater outcomes in school and do better in later life.” said Ms Allen.

Statistics show 75 per cent of brain development occurs between birth and the age of three. Being read to right from birth helps newborns develop essential pre-literacy skills that are needed to learn to read. This is the single most important factor in school success.

Better Beginnings offers effective methods of interacting with children from birth to 3 years old through sharing stories and rhymes. The program is delivered through public libraries and community health centres across the State. The program also includes delivery of a reading toolkit containing a board book, instructional DVD and information packs for parents of newborns.

For further information: Please contact Better Beginnings Program Co-ordinator Nola Allen at the State Library of Western Australia on 9427 3273, email nola.allen@slwa.wa.gov.au