The season for connection

It’s been a remarkable year celebrating 10 years of First 5 Forever and the library staff who connect families to the spaces and playful opportunities that help build little brains. 

Over the last 10 years, First 5 Forever has enabled more than 6 million child-program connections through 325 public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across Queensland. If you’ve found First 5 Forever in your local library, than you will understand that making the most of everyday moments to talk, read, sing and play with your child can help build a strong foundation for future development and wellbeing.

First 5 Forever Ambassador Ash Barty, now a mother of two, knows firsthand the support First 5 Forever offers parents and caregivers as their child’s first teacher.
 

“Libraries are the building blocks of community. It’s been wonderful to experience the ways First 5 Forever connects families and encourages playful learning in different communities. All families are different. It’s about finding ways to talk, read, sing and play together that work for your family.”

To celebrate 10 years of First 5 Forever, we’ve invited Ash to put together her top 10 books, songs and activities you can share with your little ones these holidays.

Books 

It’s never too early to read with your baby. From the day they are born, share stories as often as you can. Here are my top reads these holidays.
 

• Any of the Stories for Little Queenslanders
• My Dream For You by Ash Barty with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin
• My Dream Holiday by Ash Barty with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin
• 12 Days of Bush Christmas by Megan Van Den Berg and Emma Bamblett
• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
• Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
  
  Borrow these books and more from your local library or Indigenous Knowledge Centre.

Action songs

When children put actions to words it helps building understanding and language development. These are the songs I love to sing with little ones.
 

• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
• Incy, Wincy Spider
• Wheels on the Bus
• Old MacDonald Had a Farm
• If You’re Happy and You Know It
• Five Speckled Frogs
• Row, Row, Row Your Boat
• Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
• Open Shut Them
• Galumph Went the Little Green Frog 

Things to do together

Children learn through play from the moment they are born. Try these fun activities.
 

• Create a backyard scavenger hunt
• Make a bird feeder using recycled materials
• Paint rocks and hide them around the garden
• Build a cubby with blankets and chairs
• Plant a mini herb or flower garden
• Have a picnic in the backyard or local park
• Make homemade playdough and create shapes together
• Set up a water play station with buckets, cups and sponges
• Create a nature collage with leaves, sticks and flowers
• Stargaze and count the shooting stars 

If you have a favourite First 5 Forever memory in a library or Indigenous Knowledge Centre, we’d love to know! Share in the comments or email us at first5forever@slq.qld.gov.au