Early Childhood
Being a baby is lots of fun at the Library!
Babies take their first critical steps toward learning to read and write very early in life. By the time babies reach their first birthday they will have learned all the sounds needed to speak their native language. The more stories read aloud to them, the more words a baby will hear and the better they'll be able to talk. Research shows that regular and active interactions with words, books, and stories are invaluable in these early years. Through hearing stories read aloud to them, babies begin to build their own vocabulary and improve their understanding of language, which is vital as they start to read.
Goulburn Library offers a wide range of reading materials, programs and events, and support for these critical early literacy years.
Programs
The Library's children’s room is a haven for learning and exploration, and the hub of our fantastic free programs for babies and toddlers.
Our programs are designed to be educational and engaging, focussing on early literacy development while fostering socialisation and fun! The Library runs a number of regular programs and special events for babies and toddlers, including:
- Baby Time - for babies from birth up to 1 year.
- Toddler Time - for toddlers from 1-2 years.
- Giggle & Wiggle - for 2-5 years.
- Story Time - for 3-5 years.
- Tell Me a Story - for 3-5 years.
- A range of fun workshops and special events.
For more information and bookings, see our programs and special events.
Kids eLibrary
Access our amazing collections of Kids eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, movies, and more! Read, listen, and watch from home or on the go, all completely free for Library members.
Our Kids eLibrary collections are full of suitable reading and watching materials for birth right up to teen years, designed for education and fun all at the same time!
Browse the collections or download the apps to your mobile device and browse individual collections:
Early Literacy Song Book
Talk, Sing, Play, and Read Everyday!
Use this song book for inspiration to talk, sing, play and read every day!
Birth to five is the optimal window to build lifelong language and literacy foundations. Exploring language through talking, singing, and playing helps to develop the pre-literacy skills critical for learning to read and write.
Printed copies are available in the Library upon request. Please contact us if your language isn't available.
Let's Read & Count
Let's Read & Count Kits
Goulburn Mulwaree Library, in conjunction with Schools As Community Centres, the Smith Family, and Let's Read, provide an initiative that aims to improve literacy and learning outcomes for local children.
The Library has a series of Let's Read and Let's Count kits available for loan, full of information on early literacy, books, and games.
Each Let's Read kit contains a Let's Read information booklet and DVD, along with 3-4 age appropriate books to read at home. Kits are separated into age groups as follows:
- Yellow Kits - from 4 months old
- Green Kits - from 12 months old
- Blue Kits - from 18 months old
- Red Kits - from 3 1/2 years old
Each Let's Count kit aims to help parents introduce mathematics into their lives and recognize the importance of understanding mathematical concepts for young children. Each kit includes:
- Let's Count program booklet
- 3-4 math related picture books to read and share
- One math related game or activity
It is never too early to start reading with your child and these kits are a great way to gain ideas and inspiration to read at home.
Story Box Library
Designed especially for young people from pre-school right through to upper primary years, Story Box Library showcases some of the very best children's books available, read by your favourite storytellers, along with related activity packs, short videos, and much more!