The Council Promotes the Importance of
Early Literacy Development

Sexauer Foundation and Edith Glick Shoolman Children’s Foundation
continue to fund themed-book bag lending libraries

“What I enjoyed most was the fact that my child and I grew closer to each other reading these books. He and I both enjoyed reading and looking at the pictures in the books.”

I enjoyed the opportunity to have different books on a weekly basis to share with my child.  Also, we enjoyed having books about different cultures.”

“Sometimes it’s hard to go to a library when you are a working parent who just doesn’t have the time.”

These comments were made by parents whose children participated in the Council’s 2011-2012 Book Bag Lending Library Project and though at first glance the impact of the program may seem simple, it has made a significant impact on the lives of young children and their families.  Thanks to generous funding from the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation, the Edith Glick Shoolman Children’s Foundation, the Glickenhaus Foundation, the Sexauer Foundation and the TD Bank Charitable Foundation, the Council has been able to support child care programs serving subsidized children and their parents with essential early literacy experiences recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Council’s Professional Development Department staff assembled enough book bags to create home-lending projects at each participating program that included quality, age appropriate books.  The convenience of books arriving at home each week made it simpler for parents to enjoy simple, stress-free, and appropriate reading/learning experiences with their children.

The project also included free workshops by Council staff to build understanding of the importance of early literacy and new strategies for promotion, including engagement of parents.  Future workshops will focus on how to use everyday music experiences to enhance early literacy and how music increases language and cognitive development.  Brief, interactive workshops for parents with their children will also be offered.   These sessions include modeling by Council staff as well as a simple dinner, which itself provides great opportunities for language and learning.

The Council’s quality improvement specialists work with the program staff to determine their early literacy needs, create a plan to address those needs and then deliver training and technical assistance.   A follow-up assessment is performed to document the results.  Participating programs and providers also receive quality improvement grants so they can purchase some of the materials identified in their program assessment.
In 2012-2013, there are 31 child care center classrooms and 19 home-based child care programs participating.  These projects will affect more than 500 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and their families.