What is First Five Forever and How Can You Nourish a Tiny Brain?
Targeted at children aged 0-5 years, First Five Forever is a Queensland State Government initiative designed to support early childhood development.
With the key message being, ‘Talk, read, sing, play – any place, any time,’ parents and caregivers are being encouraged to visit public libraries and access online sessions in a bid to support early language and literacy development for the children in their care. What began as a three-year $20 million investment between 2015 to 2018 is now an ongoing $5 million per annum funded program.
The first five years of a child’s life are marked by rapid brain growth and the formation of foundational that support learning into adulthood Early exposure to language in the form of talking, being read to, singing and rhymes is proven to enhance social and emotional development, cognitive skills and motor development, not to mention the vital skills acquired via sensory play.
Why Sensory Play Is So Vital
Sensory play supports neurodevelopment by exposing a child to activities that engage one or more of the senses: touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Furthermore, incorporating games that involve movement and balance sends signals to the brain, helping to build and reinforce connections; when a child explores textures, hears a range of sounds, gets to play with water, sand, and a variety of other materials, their mind is stimulated and their brain further develops.
Newborn sensory classes introduce children to new experiences through multi-sensory play, using a variety of colourful props, textures and sounds to spark curiosity and encourage early learning. Research shows that sensory play also lays the foundations for early problem‑solving by giving children opportunities to explore cause and effect. Concepts such as sorting and measuring, understanding how water pours, and exploring different textures and materials are vital to development. As children grow, toddler sensory classes further aid with the development of fine motor skills and work significantly to ensure they meet necessary developmental milestones.
Whilst engaging in these tactile activities, parents are encouraged to verbalise to their child what is being done, and to discuss what they are seeing and how they are feeling. Incorporating language into play is vital. Exposure to a range of sensory experiences beyond those typically found in the home helps children build tolerance, express emotions, learn to share and observe others. These experiences support social development and help children learn at their own pace in ways that work best for them.
One story, one song, one experience at a time. First Five Forever.