First 5 Forever

“Let’s blow some bubbles together …” Narrating what you and your child are doing, seeing and thinking is a simple way to build your baby’s language skills.

Serve and return can happen in simple everyday moments. Join in the daily rally with your baby!

Sing it, don't say it. 🎶

Nursery rhymes aren't just fun, they're doing serious work. The rhythm helps little ones predict patterns in language. The rhyme builds phonemic awareness, one of the foundations of learning to read. And the repetition? That's memory in action. 🧠

Pick a favourite today and sing it twice. That's it.

One thing you can do today: narrate your morning. 🌅

Getting dressed, making breakfast, heading out the door, just describe what you're doing as you go. It sounds simple, but hearing you talk is one of the best things for your little one's developing brain. 🧠

No prep. No mess. Just your voice.

Cold outside? Perfect excuse to play inside. ☁️

Here are some simple ways to keep little ones learning and laughing this winter, no special equipment needed.

Build a blanket fort and narrate the adventure out loud 🏕️. Make up silly songs while you cook dinner together 🎵. Grab a pile of books and take turns picking the next one 📚. Roll out some paper and draw whatever comes to mind 🖍️.

Talk, read, sing, play, it all adds up, even on the grey days.

Serve, return, rally and learn! 🎾
Last week at Frew Park, families joined First 5 Forever ambassador Ash Barty AO and Brisbane City Council for a special storytime celebrating the power of talking, reading, singing and playing together.
 
Just as every serve and return helps build confidence on the tennis court, every story shared, song sung and conversation had helps build strong foundations for learning and development in little ones.

Thanks to Brisbane Libraries and their Pop-up Library team for bringing First 5 Forever to families in the places they love spending time together.
 
And a special thanks to Ash and all the families who joined us and the library for a great morning!

This week, First 5 Forever ambassador AO served up a Toddler Time surprise at the newly renovated Helensvale Library.
 
At the special Toddler Time session, we shared songs and stories and highlighted the importance of talking, reading, singing and playing with children in the early years.
 
As ambassador for First 5 Forever, Ash is helping champion the free programs hosted at public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across Queensland.
 
Drop into your local library or Indigenous Knowledge Centre to discover how First 5 Forever can help build strong foundations for your little one, now and for their future.
 
Thanks Ash for championing reading, playing and family interactions and a big thanks to for a wonderful morning of stories and songs.

This May, we’re reading Luna Roo the Kangaroo Ballerina for National Simultaneous Storytime!

On 27 May at 12 noon, families across Australia are encouraged to share in the same story together to celebrate the magic of reading.

Many local libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres are taking part with special storytime events and activities for little ones. Check with your local library or Indigenous Knowledge Centre to see what’s happening near you and join in the fun.

What a fantastic special story time guest! Congratulations Mount Isa City Library on the great day of family fun.