Reading books, sharing stories, talking, and singing helps children’s development. It stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. Children who have someone read to them every day when they are very young learn to speak, read, and write more easily. The early years really matter.
Through the Read to Me program, all children in care aged six years and under automatically receive free books each quarter, creating a library that they can keep and enjoy for many years to come.
Read to Me is a joint initiative between the Department for Child Protection and Raising Literacy Australia.
Here’s a preview of what was included in the March 2024 reading packs.
 | Baby Reading Pack
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 | 1 Year Reading Pack
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 | 2 Year Reading Pack
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 | 3 Year Reading Pack
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 | 4 Year Reading Pack
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 | 5 Year Reading Pack
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 | 6 Year Reading Pack
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Read to Me is a book gifting program through Raising Literacy Australia that supports children in care to improve their reading and language skills.
The program recognises the importance of access to quality age-appropriate books and encourages positive adult–child interactions to support healthy brain development.
An initial start-up library launches each child’s reading journey, featuring:
- 10 age-appropriate picture and board books
- a Read to Me library bag
- carer resources, including an activity book.
Home reading packs of books and resources are then sent every 3 months in March, June, September, and December. The books are specially selected based on each child’s age.
Sharing stories every day with babies and children supports their brain development.
By reading together, you are helping the child to become familiar with sounds, words, language and over time the joy of books. Read together every day and have fun:
- Snuggle up together
- Start with black and white board books as babies can see the pictures clearly
- Read together, read often and have fun
- Create a special place for books and reading
- Use different voices to make the stories exciting and fun
- Visit the library often
- Give books as presents
- Make reading a happy time that you both cherish.
Raising Literacy Australia has reading activities and resources https://raisingliteracy.org.au/books-activities/resources/
The Raising Literacy Australia YouTube Channel shares book readings and activity videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/raisingliteracyaustralia
The Words Grow Minds campaign is all about how caregivers can help babies and young children thrive — it’s as simple as talking, reading, playing, and singing together. The website is full of ideas for activities and helpful resources: www.wordsgrowminds.org.au
Who runs Read to Me?
The Read to Me program is run by Raising Literacy Australia, with support from the Department for Child Protection, Variety – The Children’s Charity of South Australia, Australian Publishing Industry and Cochrane’s Transport.
Feedback is always welcome on the book packs. If you have any questions about the Read to Me program you can contact Janet Leske at janet.leske@raisingliteracy.org.au
Are any personal details disclosed?
No. Raising Literacy Australia does not receive any personal details about your family or the child in care, as all packs are sent out by the Department for Child Protection.
How do I update my address details?
If you are moving, please update your details with your child’s DCP case worker.