Reading together in your child’s early years can be a great bonding experience, and can support their early development. The greatest amount of brain growth occurs between birth and age five. In fact, by age 3, roughly 85% of the brain’s core structure is formed. It is therefore not surprising that young children who are exposed to certain early language and literacy experiences usually prove to be good readers later. Just as a child develops language skills long before being able to speak, the child also develops literacy skills long before being able to read. [1]
Thats why charities and SF Public Library are offering different ways to help you support your child’s early literacy, to give them the best possible grounding in reading and writing from an early age.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a program dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of reading by gifting books to children.
If you have a San Francisco address and a child aged 0–5 you can register online to be sent a free, age-appropriate book every month until your child’s 5th birthday.
This program is supported by funding from the Department of Early Childhood (DEC) and endorsed by San Francisco Public Library.
It’s never too early or too late to start sharing rhymes, songs and books with your child! San Francisco Public Library has events and programs for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and parents and caregivers, as well as advice for different ages for how you can play, talk, sing and read to support your child’s development.
Visit your local library and talk with the children’s librarian, or visit the website below for more information.