Right here in our valley, literacy rates have been falling amongst school aged children. The problem is that these young boys and girls are not being exposed to reading at an early enough age, and when they do finally begin to read around third grade, they are already left hopelessly behind. Fortunately, Jackson County Library Services is taking a preemptive strike against illiteracy with the Babies in the Library program.

Why is it important to introduce children to reading from infancy? Because babies are born learning. Their brains must be stimulated in order to develop the synapses for language development. Stimulation includes talking, responding to babies, and reading. This project will bring the principles of Early Words and early brain research to Jackson County’s babies and parents. It models for parents the best way to share rhymes, activities, songs, and books best suited for their babies. While parents have a chance to teach and bond, their children develop, and both share an enriching developmental experience that results in book-loving children who arrive at school ready to read.

The goal is to provide parents and prewalking children with a cumulative early learning and literacy-enhancing experience. Each week’s lap sit story time uses the framework provided by Jane Marino in Babies in the Library (c.2003) and builds on the experiences of the previous week using the principles of the Early Words curriculum and knowledge of early brain development. Every story time adds information about and demonstrates a principle. By the end of each series, parents will have learned how to continue literacy-related activities with their babies at home using library books and other appropriate materials. Parents will be encouraged to continue meeting regularly at the library, continuing the lap sit story time experience with the assistance of a volunteer or on their own. The program does not stop at infancy, however. Babies in the Library has different levels to support children’s healthy reading habits all the way until preschool. Ultimately, the program will not only create lifelong library patrons, but also give our future generations the tools to become the most successful people they can possibly be. 

The Babies in the Library program is conducted in both English and Spanish. To view the calendar of Jackson County Library Services events click here.

For more information about Babies in the Library, or if you would like to preregister for the program, please contact Margie Cicerrella, Project Coordinator, at 541.774.6995.