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***image1***More than 300 infants born at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center now have an early start on reading since the 415th Base Support Battalion libraries started their early literacy program Jan. 13.
That’s more than 600 free infant books delivered to mothers of newborns at LRMC Post Partum Ward, but the number may stop there because of a shortage of new infant books.
“We ran out of books for the program Nov. 26 and will have to suspend it until we receive money to buy new infant books,” said Mrs. Shawn Friend-Begin, 415th BSB Landstuhl librarian and co-founder of the Baby Book Bag Program. “This program is funded by monetary donations, but we can not ask for contributions because the libraries are appropriated-fund activities.”
Started by a monetary gift from the Kaiserslautern-Landstuhl Spouses’ Association, the Baby Book Bag Program gives mothers and their newborns books and literature on early literacy.
“Studies into literacy emphasize the importance of exposing children to books and reading with them at the earliest possible moments,” said Mrs. Friend-Begin. “A child’s brain develops at an incredible rate during the first three years of life.
“Early experiences with language contribute to brain development and lay a foundation for learning to read when a child starts school,” she said.
When the program was operational, books were selected by Mrs. Friend-Begin and were delivered Monday through Saturday mornings to all infants born at LRMC.
For more information, call Mrs. Friend-Begin at 486-7322 or 06371-86-7322 or stop by the Landstuhl library, Bldg. 3809 on LRMC.
