Learning in the home is really important for children. Parents play a key role in helping their child to learn and develop new skills.
Books
Books are a good way to support early language development. They can help children learn sounds, letters and words. It's good to start sharing stories, books and rhymes with your child from as early an age as possible. It’s OK to read the same book again and again with your child. Familiar books are comforting and build confidence but it’s also good to introduce them to lots of new stories too. Just ten minutes shared reading a day can help your child grow into a happy, confident learner.
Bookstart. Gives free books to every child in England and Wales at two key stages before school. It also offers:
- free packs for children with additional needs,
- tips and guidance on reading together,
- resources and activities,
- and much more.
Staffordshire Libraries - You are never too young to join the library! Your child 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. There are also 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. We don’t mind how noisy they are.
Stoke on Trent Libraries offer the following:
- Free library membership – New customers can join the library online
- The library has 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
- Enquiry service, including signposting to other services
- Bookstart Treasure packs for all children in Nursery, including dual language books and additional needs packs – delivered by libraries working with schools
- Little Library Van visits to early years and community settings
- Stoke Reads 25 Reads reading challenge for children aged 0-5
- Free eBooks and eAudiobooks for children
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.