BOOKS FOR BABIES PROGRAM LAUNCHED
TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO READ TO CHILDREN
The province is launching Books for Babies, a new early-literacy initiative to increase awareness of the importance of reading to children right from the start, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.
"Reading to babies not only encourages bonding between parents and babies but also benefits children's early development, giving them a head start in developing strong language and literacy skills," said Irvin-Ross, also minister responsible for Healthy Child Manitoba. "Through the Books for Babies program, we will provide a book to the parents of every newborn to encourage them to read to their children."
The province is investing more than $100,000 in the new Books for Babies initiative. Beginning in early 2008, new parents will receive a package including a book and a brochure on the benefits of reading to children and tips to support early child development.
"Research tells us that reading to children from an early age is a key factor in healthy child development and helps children be ready to learn when they start school," said Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson. "But reading is also a special activity that parents can share with their children, building close connections and stronger families as they share the experiences of fairy tales, family stories, favourite nursery rhymes, songs or legends."
Healthy Child Manitoba worked in partnership with librarians, public-health nurses, speech and language experts, literacy partners and parent-child coalitions to develop the Books for Babies program. Books will be available in both English and French, and will be distributed through the public health system throughout the province including First Nation communities.
"It's never too early to start talking, saying rhymes, telling stories and reading with your baby," said Janet Simpson, a speech language pathologist and a member of the Seven Oaks Early Years Coalition. "Hearing the same stories again and again helps your baby learn to talk and builds a lifetime love of reading."
Healthy Child Manitoba uses an evidence-based approach to develop child-centred public policy. It works with multiple partners to create integrated programs and supports for Manitoba families.
The Healthy Child Committee of Cabinet was announced in March 2000. Currently chaired by
Irvin-Ross, the committee represents departments such as Aboriginal and northern affairs; culture, heritage, tourism and sport; education, citizenship and youth; family services and housing; health; justice; and labour and immigration; and the minister responsible for the status of women.
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