Library membership
Don't forget your child can become a library member as soon as they are born. You can also register online which gives access to our digital services - this includes e-books and e-audio books suitable for all ages.
Every Child a Library Member (ECALM)
Aberdeen City Libraries is delighted to support this initiative to encourage all children in Scotland to become active library users.
How children learn
Parents/carers are the first, and most vital, teacher any child has. While nurseries and schools give children a great education, learning doesn’t start and stop at the school gates.
Doing fun things with your child is one of the great things about being a parent. It makes you and your child happy and helps build stronger bonds. You can make a huge difference. Research shows that children do better at school and throughout life when parents take part in their learning.
How to help
There is lots of really useful information on how children develop language, how they learn and how parent/carers can support this. The National Literacy Trust and Parent Club Scotland are great places to start. Scottish Book Trust primary purpose is to encourage everyone in Scotland to read more and has a wide range of material to help parents/carers.
These posters developed by Speech and Language therapists in Highland are a very easy guide to how language develops and have simple activities to get your little one talking !
Highland Literacy 1
Highland Literacy 2
Highland Literacy 3
Highland Literacy 4
If you have any concerns about a child's speech you can find information on the Aberdeen Speech and Language Therapy website including how to contact them for advice.
Home Learning
For ideas to support learning at home why not try :
Scottish Book Trust's Home Activities Hub ?
Tiny Happy People lots of play ideas and activities to help you support your child develop communication skills
BBC CBeebies
Book Trust Home Time for ideas and activities to make learning enjoyable.
Hungry Little Minds - a UK government campaign to encourage parents /carers to adopt positive behaviours to support their children’s communication, language and literacy development. Lots of great, simple ideas
We are now members of the Living Knowledge Network which holds fascinating events (currently online) and which are available via the online archive
Don't forget Aberdeen City Libraries online resources - especially Busy Things and Grid Club
Aberdeen Science Festival
We're delighted to support Aberdeen Science Festival which takes place 21 - 28 September 2024 with a great programme of events for families to explore the world of science.
Childsmile
Childsmile works to improve the oral health of children in Scotland. We are delighted to work in partnership to ensure toothbrushing packs are freely available in every library in Aberdeen City. Pick up your free toothbrush when you next visit.
We'd like to highlight Grampian Dental - the MHS Grampian website focusing on oral health and hygiene including an up to date list of practices accepting NHS patients
Children with a visual impairment
Guide Dogs offers a range of services to support children with a visual impairment including technology and sensory equipment grants. The Tech for All scheme offers free iPads for children with a visual impairment aged 3-18, for use at home.
My Time To Play is new, free service that helps children with sight loss aged from birth to four develop a broad range of skills through play in a group setting. The block of 7 virtual sessions is led by habilitation specialists, and involve songs, stories and movements.
Custom Eyes books are custom made large print books for children.
More information on services available at Guide Dogs
Scottish Child Payment
This is a weekly payment of £25 which you can get for every child under the age of 16 who you look after. For more information on this and how to apply
Priority Services and Powercuts
We all need electricity but powercuts can be particularly distressing for some customers. Scottish and Southern Energy Network (SSEN) who manage offer extra support to customers in vulnerable groups - this includes families with a young baby. For more information and to register
When a book might help
We have books to help children deal with all sorts of situations but sometimes parents and carers need a helping hand - see the link below for some titles available to download