In partnership with local pediatric care providers, the Bartholomew County Public Library and Viewpoint Books are expanding the Growing Readers program to increase access to early literacy resources throughout the community.

The Growing Readers program began last year with the aim of encouraging children to read 1,000 books before kindergarten, but it is growing to meet evolving needs within the community, according to organizers. Thanks to grants from both the Heritage Fund the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, and the Mildred A. Reeves Early Education Fund, the program will now extend beyond the initial scope and increase impact by:

Research has shown that when it comes to early literacy development, it is not the just quantity of words a child hears from their caregivers or the number of books they read together, but the quality of the interactions between them that matters most.

Organizers said the expanded program, with its emphasis on providing both reading materials and caregiver education, seeks to empower families to be involved in their childrens early literacy development in ways that are both meaningful and effective.

After extensive research and discussions with local pediatric care providers, it became clear that the most effective means of reaching children and their caregivers would be at scheduled well-medical visits. With roughly 95 percent of children living in Bartholomew County attending their scheduled well visits, this partnership program will provide the tools and information families need by reaching them in a place they are already visiting regularly.

During the initial pilot period, families with children between 6 months and 5 years old at Northside Pediatrics and Sandcrest Family Medicine will receive quality books, early literacy tips, and support information suited to their childs age and development.

Organizers said that eventually, the program hopes to work with all of the pediatric care providers in the county and in doing so to reach all children in the community.

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Growing Readers program expanding - The Republic