This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

The Baby Reader: Free books and a primer on strategies for parents

Cradle to the Classroom, the literacy outreach program sponsored by District 218 and District 130, will sponsor a pair of free workshops at local libraries early next month.

Teachers from District 218 and District 130 will lead the 30-minute seminars detailing strategies for parents on how to raise great readers.  Parents are welcome to bring their babies and young children to the workshops so they can practice that night.

Every parent who attends also will receive a free baby book.

Find out what's happening in Oak Lawnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond, will host a workshop on Tuesday, December 3 from 5:30 to 6 p.m.  The Crestwood Public Library will host a workshop on Wednesday, December 4 from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Volunteers from Cradle to the Classroom have talked with more than 4,000 parents over the past three years about the significant cognitive benefits and language skill enhancements from reading with babies.

Find out what's happening in Oak Lawnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cradle to the Classroom has received nearly $20,000 in grants from the Illinois Reading Council, Blue Island Community Health Foundation, and many local service organizations.  The grants fund the purchase of baby books for distribution to young parents.

Volunteer with Cradle to the Classroom share research findings with parents.  They discuss how reading with babies enhances brain development and readiness for school; the research documenting the relationship between reading and cognitive function; and the importance of reading with babies on a daily basis. 

Part of the presentation focuses on studies conducted by renowned early childhood development researchers Hart and Risley.  In one of their studies, they explored the factors that most affected a child’s IQ between birth and three years of age.

Although many variables, including parents’ income level, educational level, and IQ, influence a child’s IQ, they discovered that language experiences exert the most effect.  Many researchers have documented that humans learn the most between birth and age three.

Other partners in Cradle to the Classroom include Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, and MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island. 

Volunteers also speak at, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) service centers in Oak Lawn and Blue Island and Courage, operated by St. Germaine Catholic Church, a support center for needy families.





We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?