Working with babies and children under 5 in museums, libraries and archives

I’m off to Wales shortly to give courses for museum, library and archive staff on working with babies and under 5s and on rhyme times. Putting the courses together has made me think a lot about early childhood development and ways to make support for learning and language effective. These are some of the websites, case studies and publications I’ve found particularly valuable.

Babies in Museums: Top Tips 
Bookstart 
Bookstart Theoretical Framework 
Born Creative 
Close Encounters with Culture: Museums and Galleries as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage 
Delivering the Best Start: A Guide to Early Years Libraries (I'm contributing to the new edition of this, due out next year.)
Designing Museum Activity Backpacks for Families 
Developing and Supporting Family Learning in Museums and Galleries
Early Reading Connects Family Involvement Toolkit 
From Birth to Five Years: Children’s Developmental Progress
Introducing Early Years Children to Archives 
It’s Magic in the Museum 
Kids in Museums 
Lambeth Libraries Toy Library 
Little People’s History Museum 
National Literacy Trust Early Years 
Providing for Under 5s and Families in Museums 
Rhyme Time Series for Dads 
Story Sack Library 
Talk to your baby  
The Foundation Phase in Practice: A Toolkit for Museums, Libraries and Archives in Wales 
Toddler Time at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Under 2s at the Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands
Universally Speaking: The Ages and Stages of Children’s Communication Development from Birth to 5 
Words for Life 
Wriggle and Rhyme at Treehouse Children’s Centre 

I have loads of photos of good practice to show on the courses. I love this one of a wonderful Rhymathon at the National Maritime Museum organised by Greenwich Library Service a few years back.