New Resources

Let’s Start Early Kit

This kit is for programs that are working with pre-natal and post-natal families. The kit is made up of lots of resources to help facilitators include literacy activities in their programs. The kit has:

• Baby books
• Story Kits
• Nutritional books
• Rhyming books with audio tapes
• Informational books for parents on breast-feeding, nutrition, managing money, health, child development stages etc.
• Books in the Home ideas and books
• Family literacy videos

Why start early?

Research tells us that the most important years in your child’s life is from birth to 3 years of age. Babies are like a sponge – they soak up everything around them. Just as they need food to grow, they need love and encouragement to grow a healthy brain. Part of the love and encouragement is taking the time to play, talk, sing and communicate with your baby. These early experiences that help your baby grow to be a healthy emotional adult.

How can I use this kit?

The kit will give you lots of good ideas of how you can include literacy activities in your program. It will also give you an opportunity to review resources that may be useful to your program. Things you can do to include literacy in your program:

Rhyming and Singing
Each week before you start your weekly program learn rhymes and songs. Sit in a circle and share rhymes and songs together. Do this each week for 15 minutes and families will have lots of rhymes and songs they can use at home.

Storytime
Each week read a story to parents and children. Use the storytelling kits and have older children participate in the story. You can also make felt characters of other books and make your own storytelling kit.

Information Sessions
The kit also has lots of informational books about nutrition, parenting and early literacy skills. Get parents together to discuss some of these topics.