Ngarigo woman and retired tennis star Ash Barty joined families in Ipswich on World Children's Day to promote Queensland's First 5 Forever initiative.

First 5 Forever was launched in 2015 and is delivered through 325 public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across the state.

Ms Barty said the program offers an important way for families to support early development.

"First Five Forever is such an important way for children to be able to learn and grow up and develop their skills," she said.

"And as parents, you are the child's first teacher."

She said simple daily activities make a significant difference.

"It's understanding that you can really help develop your child in those first five years with some really simple basic things that you do at home every day," she said.

"Whether it's talking, it's singing, it's playing... different ways of being able to challenge your child and create a really fun environment where they have the curiosity to learn."

Ms Barty said she uses these ideas with her own son.

"I know my son loves getting dirty, loves getting outside, playing in the dirt, the sand and all of those things," she said.

"But you have to be able to help them discover that as your child's first teacher."

She added First 5 Forever sessions also help parents connect with each other and notes literacy and culture remain important for mob and their children.

"It's about appreciating and understanding where you come from," Ms Barty said.

"It's about appreciating culture and understanding that cultures are different. They need to be respected. They need to be honoured and celebrated.

"And certainly for our culture, for me, it's something that is to be celebrated every single day."

Ms Barty said connecting with community is a vital part of her work now.

"I just try and be me... each and every day I try and be the very best version of myself," she said.

"And now my job and career, I suppose, and purpose has shifted a little bit.

"I get to spend more time with people and hear about their stories and connect with them and share my own experiences. It's something that I love to do."

Ms Barty has also become a successful author following her retirement from tennis.

Her memoir 'My Dream Time: A Memoir of Tennis & Teamwork' has become one of Australia's top-selling sports autobiographies, with sales approaching 100,000 copies since its release in 2022.

Industry figures show her memoir remains the highest-selling Australian women's sport autobiography to date.

Further, she is a children's author, with her Little Ash series - including titles such as Perfect Match, Tennis Rush and Friendship Fix-it - inspired by her own childhood and family.

Her picture book My Dream Holiday shares the adventures of her family trips to Minjerribah and celebrates nature, play and connection.

These books aim to encourage curiosity, confidence and a love of reading among young children.

State Librarian and CEO, Vicki McDonald, said the program prioritises support for young children, gives caregivers simple ways to help their kids learn through play, and is strengthened by Ms Barty's role as Ambassador.

"The needs of our youngest Queenslanders are prioritised through State Library's First 5 Forever initiative and our valued partnership with the public library network," she said.

"First 5 Forever encourages all caregivers to give children the very best start in life, by helping to build healthy brains and bodies through play.

"The early years matter, which is why it is great to have Ash Barty in Ipswich promoting this important statewide initiative as First 5 Forever Ambassador."