Yawuru-English edition of Nyamangarru Jalygurr/Baby Ways launched

The initiative aims to enhance pride in Aboriginal culture and language, and 1000 Nyamangarru Jalygurr/Baby Ways books are being distributed to people living on Yawuru land in the Kimberley.

The books have been produced as part of the Better Beginnings program. Better Beginnings is the State Library of Western Australia’s award-winning family literacy program that improves the literacy outcomes of WA children though encouraging parents to read to their children.

Better Beginnings is supported by Rio Tinto and delivered in partnership with local public libraries, community health workers, the Department of Education, the Association of Independent Schools and Catholic Education Western Australia.

Nyamangarru Jalygurr/Baby Ways is designed as a book for families to share Yawuru language while encouraging reading. Literacy has lifelong impacts in terms of employment, education attainment and health outcomes.

Better literacy outcomes for all Western Australian children are further supported by State Government commitments of:

• $1 million for the further development of Better Beginnings in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions
• $1 million in grants for local public libraries and community groups to deliver early literacy development activities and events.

Earlier this year a Maawit Mart/Baby Ways book was released and given to Aboriginal families living on Noongar land.

The Baby Ways book is engaging and fun-to-read featuring Western Australian babies sitting, bathing, reading and playing. It is included in packs presented to all new families in WA at birth as part of a wider program that encourages parents to read to their children.

More than a million copies of Baby Ways have been distributed State-wide.