Part of the Reading for Healthy Families initiative is to connect Library staff with Healthy Start workers to promote Early Literacy to the families who need it most. It just so happens that one of my school friend's little sisters IS a healthy start worker, and during a game night recently we discussed ways we could work together.
This came to fruition on Thursday evening when I was invited to speak at a play group for all the Life Works NW families (with children 0-3). I was very nervous, first of all because this was my first time presenting Early literacy on my own, and second because it was a large group, half of which didn't speak English. The group ended up being (number) families-- (number) people total.
Because I had 15 minutes I just picked a few things to focus on-- 5 tips for sharing books with babies and 5 tips for sharing books with toddlers. We started the session with the families coming in and playing with all the toys and craft supplies and eating cookies, then sang a couple songs, then I read a story (Peak-a-Zoo) which was a great success. Jahaira was my translator and she was AMAZING. I went through the tips for babies and tips for toddlers and then we pulled names out of a bowl for what order the families could come and partake in the many books I brought for them to take home. They had a bit more play time before clean-up.
I am completely impressed with the Healthy Start program-- something that 6 months ago I had no idea even existed. I am not convinced that libraries and these families really have a lot to share with each other.
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