Reading to Babies and Toddlers is Critial in their Formative Years and Beyond

On May 30, 2009, the Jamaica Library Service in association with the Ministry of Education’s National Parenting Support Commission launched ‘We Likkle But Wi Tallawah: Parents Reading to Babies and Toddlers’ project which advocates and facilitates parents reading aloud to children aged 0-3 years.  The launch event took place within the context of a Family Book Fair at the Kingston & St. Andrew Parish Library. 

Parents (including pregnant mothers) enjoyed a fun-filled session of reading, parenting tips and other stimulating activities.  Participants were advised through an exhibition mounted by the Library Service and presentations that reading aloud to babies and toddlers is an activity that not only benefits the relationship between parents and children but also contributes positively to the child’s mental and social development.   The activity benefits language and speech development; vocabulary and pronunciation; preparation for school; the parent/child bonding process and also creates a lifelong habit which is important to the formative years and beyond.    

Among the practical tips shared by Miss Shauna Scott, Children’s Librarian was choosing age appropriate books.  Babies’ reading material should fall into one of the following categories: 

• Books with pictures that are bright and bold to help with focusing and identification
• Any poem, song or story book that the parent likes to read
• Books that can be left alone with baby (e.g. cloth or vinyl) so that baby develops a 'taste' for books. (Check safety labels carefully.)

Toddlers’ books should vary (for example books about poetry, traditional stories and mystery).  Their books should have few words, so they can remember a story which has been heard often and begin to 'read' independently. 
Jamaica Library Service offers a variety of books for babies and toddlers so parents can enjoy the benefits of reading to their children (including the unborn) without the burden of purchasing books.  The organisation also provides the optimal environment for parents to indulge in reading activities with their children.   
‘We Likkle But Wi Tallawah’ takes place on the last Saturday of every month.  In addition to fostering the reading habit, the sessions provide expert advice on other relevant areas such as infant nutrition and overall health.  The next session is scheduled for February 27, 2010. 

Click to here see highlights of the launch: