Free books for families and children in Westall
Kingston Libraries and Our Place are working together to provide families with access to free books.
Books are essential resources for families. Having spare money to buy books or having the availability to visit the library to borrow books is not always available for families. This partnership enables books at the end of their library lives to still be enjoyed by the families attending Westall Kindergarten, Playgroup, and the Maternal and Child Health Service.
Regularly, Our Place receives donations of books from Kingston Libraries. Our Place will then store, sort and place the books in ‘book boxes’ within the Westall Hub. From here, families can browse and choose books to read whilst they wait for appointments or, if they wish, are welcome to take them home to add to their own bookshelves.
The Raising Children’s Network reminds us that reading and sharing stories with children can:
- help your child get to know sounds, words and language, and develop early literacy skills
- learn to value books and stories
- spark your child’s imagination and stimulate curiosity
- help develop your child’s brain, ability to focus, concentration, social skills and communication skills
- help your child learn the difference between ‘real’ and ‘make-believe’
- help your child understand new or frightening events, and the strong emotions that come with them
- help your child learn about the world, their own culture and other cultures.
Our Place would also like to take the opportunity to thank Kingston Libraries for supporting this wonderful initiative. Kingston Libraries memberships are free and allow access to additional books and other resources, including books in languages other than English, DVDs, computers, and programs such as Storytime, Games Club and Homework Club. For more information, come in and chat with the library staff or visit the Kingston Libraries website here
Aligning with the Our Place Approach
This is one example of the Our Place Element High-Quality Early Learning, Health and Development. This element is one of the five evidenced-based elements central to the Our Place approach and supports early learning from birth as well as playgroups, child health and parenting support on site. The key features of this element are:
- Early engagement and intervention
- High-quality early learning services and supports
- Continuity in learning between the early years and school
- Positive home learning environments