Regional Queensland families get Best Start

Children in regional Queensland will be given the best start to life with a new early literacy program coming to public libraries across the State.

Arts Minister Ian Walker said the Best Start initiative would help mums, dads and caregivers to read with children to improve future learning.

“Public libraries in regional Queensland will receive nearly $16 million over the four years of the program, in a huge boost to early literacy for our youngest children,” Mr Walker said.

“The Sunshine Coast area will receive more than $1.2 million over the four years of the program, with $1.04 million going to Sunshine Coast libraries and $185,756 to Noosa, based on population.

“This state-wide program will give local families the information, skills and tools they need to help their children develop early language and literacy skills at home.

“The results are clear: just 10 minutes of reading by a parent or caregiver with their child each day can give their children the start in life they need.

“Queensland children will do better at school if they start with a healthy vocabulary, which is helped along by parents and caregivers reading with children.”

Mr Walker said Best Start was part of the government’s strong plan to help Queensland kids be the best they can be.

“In the 2012 Australian Early Development Census, Queensland ranked sixth out of the states for overall early language development,” he said.

“Research shows that if kids start school behind the eight ball, they think ‘I can’t learn well’, then disengage and don’t achieve as much as they could.

“This is an evidence-based plan that will help Queensland kids learn at least the minimum vocabulary by school age, which experts say ranges should be between 500 and 5,000 words.

“Some parents need help to be confident readers, others a reminder that story time is an important part in our long and busy days.”

Details about the Best Start program can be found at www.slq.qld.gov.au/best-start-qld

[ENDS] 16 September 2014

Media Contact: Monica Rostron 0419 398 667