DERBY - Each of the approximately 700
babies born annually at The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital now
goes home with a new children’s book, thanks to a partnership between
the hospital and
the nonprofit organization Read to Grow.
Griffin Hospital recently
became one of 12 Connecticut hospitals to adopt Read to Grow’s Books for
Babies program.
Statewide, Books for Babies reaches 53 percent of
Connecticut newborns and their parents each year.
Parents of newborns also
receive a literacy guide as part of this joint effort to foster
children’s language and early literacy development, and to encourage
reading aloud to babies from birth.
Recent research suggests
that children should be exposed to a language-rich environment from
birth, because it can significantly improve cognitive and language
development and readiness for school.
A trained volunteer visits
with parents to introduce the Read to Grow program and talk about the
“how and why” of reading aloud to babies.
The volunteers go through the
literacy packet and encourage families to register
for Books for Babies Follow Up, which will provide them with another
new book and literacy information on their child’s three-month and
12-month birthdays.
Gently used books are also available for siblings of newborns to promote family reading time.
“We’re happy to partner with
Read To Grow and help nurture a love for reading in the families in our
community,” said Luanne Miller, director of the Childbirth
Center.
"Read to Grow also provides
gently used books to children across the state through its Books for
Kids program. Last year Books for Kids delivered more than 127,000
books into the hands of young children. “
Studies show
that in low-income neighborhoods, children often have few if any
books,” said Chet Brodnicki, interim executive director of Read to Grow.
“The Valley Council reports that 10 percent of children residing in the
Lower Naugatuck Valley live in poverty. Read to
Grow is a resource for these families.”
Read to Grow
Read to Grow (www.readtogrow.org)
works to improve early literacy for all Connecticut children. It is the
only statewide nonprofit organization that connects with parents in the
hospital setting and prepares them to take an active role in their
child’s literacy development by reading aloud
from birth. Read to Grow also provides free children’s books to
families and to programs in communities that serve children of all ages.
Read to Grow’s programs currently reach 53 percent of the state's new babies and their parents, and distribute more than 147,000 children’s books across Connecticut.
Read to Grow’s programs currently reach 53 percent of the state's new babies and their parents, and distribute more than 147,000 children’s books across Connecticut.
About The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital
The Childbirth Center at
Griffin Hospital offers family-centered maternity care in an environment
that will best meet individual and family needs. The Childbirth Center
follows the patient-centered Planetree philosophy
that focuses providing a warm, caring atmosphere for the patient and
loved ones, including childbirth and child care education, and support
groups.
For more information, call 203.732.7252 or visit
www.griffinhealth.org/childbirthcenter.
This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.
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