ABOUT US

Who We Are

Advisory Committee:
Wynanne Downer - Chair
Norma Buckle
Maureen Kennedy
Nancy Luscombe
Linda Stonehouse
Jean Daniels - Treasurer
Tina Stewart - Provincial Coordinator

Mission Statement

Books for Babies® is an early literacy intervention program for newborns and their parents/ caregivers in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Goals

• To break the cycle of family illiteracy
• To promote the benefits of reading to young children
• To encourage parents to improve their literacy skills

The Program

The International Adult Literacy Survey (1995) states that literacy is vital to the economic and social well being of Canada. This survey also points out that nearly 40% of Canadians lack reading skills necessary for daily living. According to the latest Statistics Canada figures, Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest level of literacy of all the provinces in Canada. The research literature emphasizes that birth to age four is the most crucial learning period in a person's life. The Books for Babies® program is based on the premise that positive attitudes towards literacy are formed at this early time. According to research conducted at Memorial University of Newfoundland, valuing literacy is considered the most important factor in improving literacy in this province. In response to this data, the Humber Literacy Council developed Books for Babies®.

This program was piloted for two years in cooperation with Western Memorial Regional Hospital. Books for Babies®:

• developed into an early literacy program
• grew into a provincial program, with 40 sites and growing

Books for Babies® continues to:

• encourage reading from birth
• succeed because of dedicated volunteers who provide the financial resources and personnel to ensure continuity
• provide free reading material for children
• provide language activities to engage the family in a rich language environment
• recommend parents register their children for four follow-up books (funding permitting)
• access funds through local fundraisers, corporate donations, and the National Literacy Secretariat.