Learning in the home is really important for children and parents play a key role in helping their child to learn and develop new skills.
Books
It is never too early for books. New born babies like strong contrasting colours so will love black and white images.
Books are a good way to support early language development. They can help children learn sounds, letters and words. Babies don’t need to understand all the words, they will love to listen to your voice, look at the pictures and hold the books.
It's good to start sharing stories, books and rhymes with your child from as early an age as possible. Just ten minutes shared reading a day can help your child grow into a happy, confident learner.
As they develop they will love to share books with you. Make them fun using different voices and facial expressions. Talk about the pictures and using props or finger puppets to help bring stories alive.
Bookstart - gives free books to every child in England and Wales at two key stages before school, as well as free packs for children with additional needs, tips and guidance on reading together, resources and activities, and much more.
You are never too young to join the library! Your baby can have a library card from birth, just ask at any Staffordshire Library or join online. Library membership is free. There’s no need to buy books when you can borrow them free from our libraries. There are no overdue charges if you take out children’s books on a child’s library card and there are no lost and damaged charges for children’s books for under 5s borrowed on their library card. Staffordshire libraries love it when you visit the library with your child and don’t mind how noisy they are.
Stoke on Trent Libraries
Stoke libraries offer the following:
- Free library membership – New customers can join the library online
- Board books and picture books to borrow and share, including dual language books
- A sensory room at City Central Library – free for library members to book and use
- Bookstart Newborn Pack gifted by health visitors at 6 week check, and Bookstart Baby (including dual language and additional needs packs) gifted at 12 month check. Packs are administered through libraries, and health visitors signpost new parents to library activities.
- Enquiry service, including signposting to other services
- Mother & Baby eMagazine available on RBdigital
- Little Library Van visits to early years and community settings
- Stoke Reads 25 Reads reading challenge for children aged 0-5
Family Hubs
Your local Family Hub is a virtual space where you can find advice, support and connect with others in your area. They offer a range of information, support and advice for families at a local and county level communicated mainly through the Family Hub Facebook pages.
We also have produced a wealth of in-house support which has been created by the Early Years Coordination team. This includes topics such as Family Hub Cooking, Family Craft Hub, Community Crates Fun and School Readiness to support your child’s learning and development within the home.