by Kathy Dickinson
A new program is being launched by the Athenaeum to help Becket and Washington families introduce reading as a key component of early childhood. Each family with a newborn will be gifted two quality board books, along with a copy of “How To Raise A Reader” that provides helpful tips on how to foster a child’s love of reading.
Since the “Born To Read” program is new to the two towns, this year it will be rolled out to all families with children under three years of age. Each family will receive the books described above, along with a coupon for one more book to be selected from a collection at the Athenaeum, and a book bag beautifully illustrated by the Athenaeum’s own Dawn Green. Going forward, the program will provide the bag, books, and coupon to newborn parents when the library receives news of births from the Town Clerks.
The program, tried-and-tested over two decades by the American Library Association, introduces parents to the critical role they play in reading to infants and toddlers. One-on-one reading stimulates brain development while providing a setting in which to convey safety, love, and emotional attachment. Very young children benefit greatly by being introduced to an expanding number of words and increasingly complex language as they grow.
The “Born To Read” program is being funded by a Central Berkshire Grant from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. The Becket Athenaeum is increasing programming aimed at young children’s literacy development as research has shown that vocabulary is an important predictor of academic success. Executive Director Nicole Schulze explains, “We are so excited to introduce ‘Born to Read’ to the Becket and Washington community. In addition to helping families start down the path of a lifelong love of reading and learning, we want this program to send the message that we at the Becket Athenaeum want to meet families where they are through such off-site programs, and more importantly, that we are here for children from the day they’re born.”
