An initiative empowering families and community as language champions
State Library of Queensland, Queensland Brain Institute and Queensland Kids Partnership are working together to promote quality everyday interactions between adults and children.
Grounded in neuroscience and supported by a 5-year investment from The Ian Potter Foundation, the Together we grow initiative leverages the trusted reach of libraries to equip families and communities with the tools and confidence to strengthen children’s early childhood development.
Through deep collaboration with local councils and a broad network of partners, it will empower communities as champions of early childhood development while fostering opportunities for national scalability.
Building on the success of First 5 Forever, which has supported families across Queensland for more than a decade, Together we grow extends this work through a scalable, evidence-informed model focused on everyday brain-building interactions.
Partner with us: To explore how you might partner with us in this work, please contact Louise Denoon, Executive Director, Community Partnerships on 07 3842 9165 or at Louise.Denoon@slq.qld.gov.au or Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships on 07 3840 7865 or at foundation@slq.qld.gov.au.
Every interaction counts
From infancy, interactions are critical to lifelong learning, wellbeing and success. Research shows that sustained back-and-forth interactions between adults and children build strong neural connections in the brain. Together we grow is also guided by the international Clinton Foundation’s Talking is Teaching approach, which emphasises surrounding families with language-rich opportunities that support early learning now and for their futures.
Together we grow will help communities:
- understand how sensitive, responsive and enriching interactions support children’s brain development
- increase parent, carer and community knowledge and skills to turn everyday moments—talking, reading, singing and playing—into high quality interactions
- enhance interactions with children through community-embedded opportunities for conversations, imaginative play and engaging storytelling.
By embedding these practices across communities, our initiative aims to strengthen children’s early communication environments and improve developmental outcomes.
A trusted statewide platform
State Library partners with all 77 local councils across Queensland, supporting 325 public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres.
Through this extensive network, First 5 Forever provides free, universal support for children aged 0–5 and their families. Libraries are trusted community hubs, making them an ideal platform for reaching families at scale.
Together we grow builds on this foundation, working with local councils, educators, health services and community organisations to co-design locally relevant strategies that can be scaled across Queensland and nationally. An advisory group of expert partners will help connect the project to a broader ecosystem of early childhood policy, resources and advocacy.
A collaborative, scalable model
Together we grow will partner with diverse communities to develop practical toolkits and resources that strengthen interactions between adults and children that spark learning, connection and growth.
The model is:
- evidence-based and community-led, to be piloted in rural, regional and urban communities
- low-cost and adaptable
- designed for national scalability.
With philanthropic leadership from The Ian Potter Foundation and strong government alignment, this initiative creates a coordinated approach to improving early language outcomes across the state and Australia.
We are seeking additional philanthropic investment and partnerships to expand the reach and impact of this initiative for children and families.
With the support of visionary partners and philanthropists, like you, Together we grow will strengthen communities, empower families and help ensure more children grow up in the interaction-environments that allow them to thrive.
Collaborators
