Bookstart gives babies a reading advantage
Thursday, June 1 2006
Babies and toddlers around the Borders enjoyed an early introduction to the world of books recently when Scottish Borders Libraries celebrated Bookstart in Scotland Day on 18 May.
Libraries at Innerleithen, Hawick, Duns and Galashiels held Rhymetime sessions of action songs and rhymes, led by health visitors or library staff, to tie in to the Bookstart programme.
Events were held at:
* Innerleithen Library, where local babies and tots joined library staff for a rhymetime with lots of action, sounds and musical
instruments
* Hawick Library: Health visitors invited parents and babies to share action rhymes
* Duns Library held four separate rhymetimes for local nursery groups, with an open session for everyone
* Galashiels Library invited a group from St Peter's Nursery for rhymetimes led by library staff.
Bookstart is a national scheme to encourage children to take an interest in books and reading from the earliest possible age. All registered childminders in the Borders receive special Bookstart bags, from health visitors or libraries, containing books for young children, tips on reading to toddlers and information on local children's library services.
The scheme is funded by the Scottish Executive and supported by publishers who donate the books free or provide them at low cost.
Babies in the Borders also receive their first Bookstart packs from their health visitors at their eight-month health checks. These packs include two free baby books, advice, information and an invitation to join the local library.
Gill Swales, Young People's Services Co-ordinator with SB Libraries, said, "We are delighted to see mums with young children and babies enjoying themselves in libraries, and we are hoping to start regular sessions for them in some libraries. Research has proved that Bookstart babies (those who are read to and experience books at an early age), go on to develop literacy and numeracy skills more quickly than many children who are not read to when they are very small."
For more information, please contact Gill Swales at SB Libraries on 01750 20842 or online
Unified Solutions.