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VANCOUVER – An innovative partnership between the Province and the British Columbia Library Association will encourage parents to read to their newborns and explore local libraries, Linda Reid, minister of state for early childhood development, announced today.
“Research tells us that learning begins at birth – and anyone who’s spent time with babies knows they are constantly absorbing new information,” said Reid. “As their babies’ first and most important teachers, we want to support parents in reading to their newborns, as well as connecting them with amazing resources available through their local libraries.
“The Books for Babies strategy puts books in the hands of every baby born in British Columbia, helping to create a solid foundation for early learning and literacy that will carry them through their school and adult years.”
Starting
September 2005, every new parent in B.C. will receive a free child’s book and
accompanying CD of songs. The designated book and CD for the inaugural year is
Raffi’s Baby Beluga. Parents will also receive a reusable book bag filled with
posters, bookmarks and information on reading to young children.
“Encouraging the development of literacy skills is so important,” said Linda Mitchell, executive director of Literacy BC and chair of the Premier’s Advisory Panel on Literacy. “Good literacy skills open the door to lifelong learning and can make a remarkable difference to the lives of children, their families and to our society as a whole.”
Modelled after Britain’s highly successful Bookstart program, Books for Babies builds on B.C.’s existing literacy programs, which include Ready, Set, Learn, a $5-million program promoting learning and language development in the pre-school years. Both programs are part of a provincial strategy aimed at meeting the Province’s great goal, outlined in the throne speech, of making B.C. the best-educated, most literate jurisdiction in North America.
“It’s incredibly important to read to young children – to instil in them a love for books at an early age,” said Reid. “We want to encourage parents to read to their babies – one of the simplest ways to give their kids an advantage in school – and connect with the many family-oriented programs available through their local libraries.”
Partners in the project include the Ministry of Children and Family Development, which is contributing more than $560,000 for the purchase of books and CDs over the next three years. The Ministry of Community Aboriginal and Women’s Services, the British Columbia Library Association and the Raise a Reader Foundation. B.C.’s Public Health Nursing Council will take an active role in the distribution of coupons to new parents.
An estimated 41,000 babies are born in B.C. each year.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Children and Family Development 250 356-2007 Cell: 250 889-3502 |
Communications Manager Ministry of Children and Family Development 250 356-1720 Cell: 250 213-2511 |
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Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
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