“Books for Babies” is a program from the American Library Association designed to introduce new parents to the benefits of early childhood literacy for their baby.

Panhandle Alliance for Education, which adopted the program in partnership with Bonner General Health in 2014, recently received a grant of $2,800 from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation which will help pay for the Books for Babies kits. These kits will be given to all parents of babies born at Bonner General Health in the coming year.

The kit includes a high-quality board book, baby’s first library card, a bib, brochures from national reading organizations with reading tips for parents, and a READY! for Kindergarten brochure. (READY! (www.readysandpoint.org) is an early childhood literacy program offering local workshops for parents and grandparents of children from birth to age five; it is funded by the Panhandle Alliance for Education.)

Why should parents start reading to their baby from the very beginning of the child’s life? Studies show that when parents read daily to their baby, toddler and preschooler, a deeper bond can form between parent and child. Additionally, the child will develop more advanced literacy skills, including language and mathematics. When a child possesses the necessary skills upon starting school, s/he is ready to learn and has a happier, more successful school experience.

The Panhandle Alliance for Education is a non-profit organization composed of local citizens, businesses, and educators. The organization’s mission is to promote excellence in education and broad-based community support for the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Donations are distributed as a working pool of money used to fund local teacher grants, READY! For Kindergarten, a LPOSD-wide writing program and other strategic programs. To learn more about PAFE or to make a monthly or one-time donation, visit the website at www.panhandlealliance.org or call Executive Director Marcia Wilson at 208-263-7040.