New website provides better literacy beginnings
Culture and the Arts Minister John Day launched a new website on Sunday 15 April 2012 for the State Library's Better Beginnings family literacy program.
Mr Day said that it was vital for families to support their children's literacy and learning and the new website provided high quality literacy materials to create positive experiences through books and language.
"Better Beginnings is a Western Australia-wide program designed to work with families and communities to build literacy skills in children from birth through fostering a love of books and language," he said.
"The start that we give our children in learning to read and write does make a difference - children whose parents read with them have better developed early literacy skills and are better prepared to begin school.
"This new Better Beginnings website promotes literacy by introducing parents and children to appropriate books and activities and raises awareness of the value of reading.
"The State Government allocates more than $1.6million annually to fund Better Beginnings which includes funding through the Royalties for Regions program."
The Minister said targeted services for Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse families are delivered across the State, supporting parents and carers in reading to children from birth so that they build the early literacy skills they need to become good readers and success in school.
"On the new website, families can explore free electronic books, videos and interactive activities for children, as well as linking to story and rhyme sessions in libraries throughout Western Australia, " Mr Day said.
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