Junior League of Williamsport’s efforts promote early childhood literacy | News, Sports, Jobs
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Members of the Junior League of Williamsport show off books the group will be providing to newborns.
The Junior League of Williamsport recently announced the launch of Baby’s First Book, a community-driven initiative aimed at fostering early childhood literacy.
According to a news release, the Junior League of Williamsport will work with local businesses and Susquehanna Health Foundation, supporting The Birthplace at UPMC Williamsport, to jumpstart the new initiative in Lycoming County.
Through this initiative, every newborn and their family will receive a carefully selected reading book at the time of hospital discharge. The goal of the program is to encourage parents to begin reading to their children from birth, laying the foundation for strong language development, literacy skills and a lifelong love of books.
“There is a history of early literacy programs with the Junior League of Williamsport, and we felt it was time to revisit this effort,” said Lili Crum, JLW community committee co-chair, according to the news release. “Early childhood literacy begins the moment a parent or guardian starts reading to their newborn. We see this as a great opportunity to support growing families by providing their very first book.”
A community partnership
for literacy
“The Junior League is thrilled to work with local businesses and organizations; like Otto’s Bookstore, James V. Brown Library, and the Kiwanis Club of Williamsport, who are generously contributing literacy items to the Baby’s First Book initiative, helping to enhance early learning opportunities for young children in our community,” the news release said.
Otto’s Bookstore has helped to source books for the program.
“When the Junior League reached out to us, it became our mission to find the best possible books and work directly with the Junior League to secure them from publishers at the lowest cost possible” John Shableski, store manager, said, according to the news release.
The first book: Tummy Time: Farm
The inaugural book selected for Baby’s First Book is Tummy Time: Farm by Louise Lockhart (Nosy Crow Press).
“This engaging, fold-out board book is specifically designed for tummy time — a beneficial activity that helps newborns strengthen muscles and develop motor skills,” the news release said. “The book’s bold colors and interactive format make it ideal for stimulating a baby’s developing eyesight.”
“I just can’t believe that this book has been chosen to introduce even the youngest of readers to the joy of books,” said Louise Lockhart, according to the news release. “I’m so honored to be part of the Junior League of Williamsport’s program.”
The first copy of Tummy Time: Farm will be presented to the first baby born in Lycoming County this spring, marking the official launch of the initiative.
A lasting commitment to literacy
According to the latest census data, over 1,200 newborns are born to mothers from Lycoming County each year, a little over 900 of them at UPMC Williamsport. The Junior League of Williamsport envision this program as an ongoing effort to provide families with essential literacy tools from the very beginning.
For more information about Baby’s First Book and ways to support the initiative, visit www.jlwilliamsport.org.
The Junior League of Williamsport is an organization committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through effective action and leadership, the news release said. The league focuses on projects that create lasting positive change, with early childhood education and literacy among its key initiatives.
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