Better Beginnings

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Better Beginnings

Sharing a love of reading, rhymes, singing and talking with your baby is one of the best things you can do to give them a head start in life and at school.

Better Beginnings has been developed by the State Library of Western Australia as a family literacy program that supports parents as their child’s first teacher. The program promotes the vital role of public libraries as community hubs that provide ongoing support to parents and caregivers in giving their children a love of reading.

Email us at better.beginnings@canning.wa.gov.au or visit the Better Beginnings website to learn more.

Reading pack showing tote bag with brochures and booklets

Reading packs for infants

Canning families with new born babies can collect a free Yellow Better Beginnings reading pack from their nearest City of Canning Library or from their Child Health Nurse.

Reading packs for toddlers

Canning families with toddlers can collect a free Orange Better Beginnings reading pack from their nearest City of Canning Library or from their Child Health Nurse.

Reading pack showing tote bag and booklets

Reading packs for Kindergarten students

The Better Beginnings program is available for every Kindergarten student. This program supports and involves families in their children's early literacy learning. Kindy teachers from schools within the City of Canning are encouraged to contact Canning Libraries to order reading packs for their students each year in Term 1.

Families with homeschooled children and/or who have recently moved to Western Australia can email us at better.beginnings@canning.wa.gov.au to arrange collection of their free pack.

A photograph of a father reading to two children

Stories and Rhymes

Our Stories and Rhymes sessions incorporate the Better Beginnings principles of 'read, talk, sing, write and play' with your child every day and are a great way to help you teach the five early literacy components to your child.

Better Beginnings Pack Requests

Teachers and nurses requesting Better Beginning packs, please complete this form:

Yellow Baby Packs and/or Orange Toddler Packs

Please continue to email better.beginnings@canning.wa.gov.au to book in New Parent Talks. Due to limited storage capacity at the libraries, we kindly request and appreciate that all orders be collected within 14 days of receiving your ‘ready for collection’ notification.

Your name

Child health centre

Library flyers?

Yes No

Please provide your requested date and time for a New Parent Talk:

Additional comments

Green Kindy Packs

Kindy Talk: A Canning Libraries Better Beginnings representative will visit your school to talk to your class about being a librarian, read a story, and sing rhymes. They will also deliver your ordered packs directly to your school.

Please note:

Due to limited storage capacity, we kindly request that all orders be collected within 14 days of receiving your ‘ready to be collected’ email if no Kindy Talk is selected.
If you choose a Kindy Talk, your packs will be delivered on the day of the visit.
While we make every effort to have your order delivered from the State Library before your Kindy Talk, delays may occur. If this happens, we kindly ask that you collect your packs from Canning Libraries.
The deadline for your selected delivery month is the 14^th of the month before. For example, if you would like April as your delivery month, the deadline for April orders is 14 March. This allows the State Library enough time to complete all orders before delivery.

Your name

Primary school

Enrolment stats / Number of green kindy packs required

Kindy Talk requested?

Yes No

Additional comments

Better Beginnings - Read, Talk, Sing, Write and Play.

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