Aboriginal First 2000 Days Key Messages: Child Health Development and Wellbeing

First 2000 Days for Aboriginal Families: Child Health, Development and Wellbeing

Why is it important?
• The first 5 years of a child’s life lay the foundation for their health, wellbeing, and learning now and in the future.
• Children grow, learn, and communicate faster in the first 5 years than at any other time in their life.
• Every child develops at their own pace, usually through similar stages.
• Talk about your concerns early. This will give a child the best start in life and be ready to start school.
 

What to do?
• Check ‘The Blue Book’ for information about child health and development.
• Visit your local Child and Family Health Nurse for the Blue Book checks.
• Every baby develops at different times, babies do things in their own time. If you have any worries, ask for professional support and advice.
• Everyday activities can make a big difference in helping a child grow and thrive:
       – Go for walks together, spend time on country where you can.
       – Visit mob, attend local playgroups, library story time, swimming, and playgrounds.
       – Visit early childhood education and care services (Long day care, preschool, family day care, outside school hours care, and mobile services).

Building Brains & Bodies Tips to help children grow and thrive. Available in Arabic, Bangla, Mandarin, Vietnamese.

Learn the Signs. Act Early Help to track child development.

Pregnancy and the first five years To give your child the best start in life.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families Tips to support children to grow up safe, strong and connected to culture.