Baby's First Book
"The more that you read, the more things you will know,
The more that you learn the more places you'll go". –Dr Seuss.
Baby Chelsie was welcomed to the world this week with a gift to inspire childhood literacy, creativity and imagination.
Narrabri Public School, in partnership with Narrabri District Health Service, has implemented an innovative “Books for Babies” program, presenting each newborn at Narrabri District Health Service with an individually selected and name-plated hardcover story book.
Narrabri District Health Service Manager Sharon Simpson said the Books for Babies program had been well-received at the hospital.
“We presented the first books this week to a number of grateful, delighted mums,” Ms Simpson said.
“The Books for Babies program is a really heart-warming initiative from Narrabri Public School principal Craig Jollow to welcome our new, tiny residents to Narrabri Shire.
“The hardcover books will be a gift for life, as a child learns reading and interpretation skills, develops imagination and creativity.
“Books bring families together, and as a child’s skills develop, reading is a really special way for mums and dads to spend time with their children,” Ms Simpson said.
‘Watch me Grow,’ an information booklet from the Department of Family and Community Services will be provided with each book, to give parents tips on reading, learning and cognitive development skills for their child, from birth to starting school.
The Narrabri Public School Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) have received funding from Federation Farm to ensure the continued success of the program at Narrabri District Health Service.
Around 200 books have already been purchased by the P&C for the hospital.
“Some studies have suggested that mothers and fathers who begin reading to their children at a very early age have toddlers with greater language comprehension, larger, more expressive vocabularies and higher cognitive scores by the age of two.
“Narrabri Public School is really investing in the future of their students for generations to come. This is a wonderful program for Narrabri District Health Service, Narrabri Public School P&C, and the families of the Narrabri Shire,” Ms Simpson said.
Media: A photo is available for your use of Newborn Chelsie Louise Smith (born 21/8/2007) and mum Sarah Smith, presented with the first of the books.
Available also is a photo of Narrabri District Health Service Nurse Manager Connie Conroy, Health Service Manager Sharon Simpson, and Narrabri Public School Principal Craig Jollow handing over the books.
Contact: Nicole Fuller
Phone: (02) 6767 7136