“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. In contrast, the majority of our investments are made in the traditional education years of K-12, which begin at age five.”

​Lifetime Effects: The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study Through age 40.” Ypsilanti, MI: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, 2005. 

Learn and Lead Educational Center is happy to have the support of InterHealth Canada in a new initiative that we have coming on stream. In an effort to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of beginning language and literacy development from the time a child is born. From June 2017, each child being born at Cheshire Hall Medical Center in Providenciales will receive a board book and early literacy tips. Our hope is that this will encourage parents and caregivers to incorporate language and literacy development into their child's daily routine from birth.

Benefits of Reading to Babies

When you read to your baby they will associate books with the feeling of warmth and closeness. This is a great way for babies to be introduced to literacy. Babies exposed to books in the first few months of life will learn to:

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• Listen to language
• Respond to language
• Focus on pictures (basic objects, trucks, animals, etc.)
• Link words to pictures
• Understand that text has rhythm
• Hear rhymes
• Identify familiar objects that they can identify with, such as family, bedtime, daycare, etc.

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Benefits of Reading to Toddlers

As your child becomes a toddler they are starting to become a little more independent. You will want to ensure that books are easily accessible for them. Store books on low shelves, in floor bins, or baskets that are easily accessible to your child. Be sure to continue making reading to your child part of your daily routine. Benefits of reading to your toddler include:

• ​Association of books with playful interactions with parent or caregiver
• Exposure to oral and written vocabulary
• Association of pictures with words
  
• Understanding new words
• Saying new words and phrases
• Recognizing favorite books by the front cover

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"Given the course of brain development, it is 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."

​National Research Council. (1998). Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.