The Babies, Books and Bonding team of the Northern Healthy Communities Partnership is excited to showcase the recent news article in the Star Pheonix. The article highlights the program and the dedication the team has in helping to support early literacy and bonding between parent and child. Also highlighted is the NHCP published book “Are You Hungry?” as well as the continued effort to increase board books provided in the program that represent Indigenous culture. The Babies, Books and Bonding team recognizes that it is important for children to see themselves in the story, to be able to relate to the story. Literacy expert Phaedra Hitchings, whom is the executive director for Literacy Saskatchewan was also interviewed for the article and states: “Having books that are age-appropriate and culturally relevant make it so that people can see themselves in the stories, and they can identify with them and have a great time together as a family.”
“It gives families and children a sense of who they are and where they fit with their community” Hitchings stated.
Literacy and early childhood education is linked to employment success and greater incomes, while also reducing health risk behaviours such as smoking, physical inactivity and poor nutrition.
The Canadian Pediatric Society Position Statement “Read, Speak, Sing: Promoting early literacy in the health care setting” also speaks to literacy as being more strongly correlated with life-long health trajectories than occupation or income. Early literacy has many benefits such as language development, cognitive development, school readiness, positive family routines, attachment security & relationship building/bonding between parent and child.
So talk, sing, tell stories and read aloud to your child often! And most of all have fun!
