Share Bookstart messages

Take a look at the key Bookstart messages to share with the families you work with.

Key Bookstart messages

Here are some simple messages to share with families, whether you are a health visitor, early years practitioner or working within libraries.

• You are your child’s first and most important teacher. Stories, books and rhymes are an essential part of your child’s development, so make sure you include them in your everyday routine. This helps your child develop many important skills, helping them become happy and confident learners.
• Start them young! It’s good to enjoy stories, books and rhymes with your child from as early an age as possible. Babies don’t need to understand all the words; they just love to listen to your voice.
• Share books, talk about the pictures and cuddle up close together – this all helps you to build a strong and loving relationship with your child.
• Everyone in the family can join in, from dads, mums and carers to brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunties and uncles.
• Join your local library, as your child will love to choose lots of different books for themselves. Libraries welcome all ages, it’s free to join and Welsh libraries don’t charge fines for late children’s books. Find your nearest library at Welsh Libraries.