Give your grandkids a grand book start!
27/12/2006
Many of you will have fond childhood memories of reading books with your grandparents or parents, transported by magical stories, and fascinated by the pictures.
Sadly, in our modern, high-tech society, much of that simple joy of sharing stories whilst gaining a love of books has been replaced by television and computers. Unless, of course, you join in with Bookstart, a new, nationwide programme which encourages adults to read with children - and it’s happening now at a library near you..
Bookstart is organised by the independent charity Booktrust, and works with libraries, health visitors and early years professionals to give the gift of free books to every young child.
It also supplies guidance material for parents, grandparents and carers. Just as important as the books are nationwide events, mainly in libraries.
Bookstart has found that, with parents often working, the role of child carer frequently falls to the grandparents - who can gain as much from the events as the children.
Peter Owen, from Felixstowe is grandfather to twenty-one month old baby boy Jordan, who rarely meets children his own age. Peter and Jordan have been really enjoying the visits to their local library.
He says: “I have really noticed Jordan blossom during the Babybounce sessions. We've always been a family that encourages reading but I have never experienced anything like the rhyme-time and Baby Bounce sessions. The sessions are really uplifting and I look forward to attending them myself!”
The book selection process is independent and has no government or commercial involvement. Bookstart also offers “Booktouch” - a free pack of books and guidance materials that aims to give a love of books to blind and partially sighted children of 0 to 4 years.
If there is a Bookstart scheme operating in your area, babies and toddlers can receive their free Bookstart packs from the following places:
• Your health visitor / local health clinic
• Early years setting (eg pre-school)
• Your local library
There are regional variations, but a visit to www.bookstart.co.uk will help find information relevant to you. So why not join in?
For more information on Bookstart, you can visit the link below or call your local library.