Queensland children aged 0-5 undertake online adventures with State Library

Queensland’s youngest citizens are being invited to take part in a daily online program of activities, run by the State Library. Posted to Facebook every weekday at 10.00 am, the program is designed to inspire children to engage in talking, reading, singing and learning from the comfort of their own homes, Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said. 

“Inspiring a love of reading is such an important part of early years development and through the State Library’s online resources we want Queensland children to imagine great adventures,” she added. 

Alongside the program for young children, the Library will also present Jarjum Stories Live!, a  free interactive live-streamed session involving First Nations children’s storybooks guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and performers, which will take place each Thursday during the school term.

Jarjum Stories Live! will include a book reading combined with fun creative activities connected to the storyline, such as dance, painting and performance. 

Both programs are complemented by the introduction of a new online initiative, the Reading Adventure Club, for children up to 12 years old, with a video posted on Facebook every Tuesday, Ms Enoch said. 

The Reading Adventure Club, which includes a weekly activity-based video challenge, encourages children to discuss books with their families and broaden their reading interests. 

All programs fall under the First 5 Forever initiative, which attracts an annual $5 million investment from the State Government. Delivered by the State Library, First 5 Forever provides strong early literacy foundations for children from birth to five years of age. 

State Librarian and CEO Vicki McDonald said reading and storytelling provided the perfect bonding opportunity for children, parents and caregivers, saying that in unsettling times, “there is nothing more comforting than a good book and enjoying quality family time”.

More information about the State Library’s online reading resources can be found here.