0 to 18 months
The ‘new reader’ kit will be offered to babies born and living in the municipality of Braga, around the time of birth. This kit will consist of an album box, a book, a teether, a brochure about the project and a general municipal card.
Then, up to 18 months old, in accordance with the National Vaccination Programme, babies will receive a book, at their respective public health center, for each vaccination.
Each book will be carefully selected according to the baby's age group.
Parallel Activities
• ‘Story time’ for babies, organised by the municipal library, centering on the books offered within the project;
• Workshops/awareness sessions for parents about the importance of reading with suggestions of books for each age group; promotion of reading strategies.
BENEFITS OF READING
• It improves and increases our vocabulary, developing oral and written language;
• Stimulates imagination and creativity;
• Sharpens our curiosity and broadens our views of the world;
• Contributes to a better school performance;
• Stimulates critical thinking;
• Develops and strengthens feelings of empathy and respect for others;
• Strengthens emotional bonds between parents and children;
• Improves concentration and memorisation skills;
• Helps us to understand and deal with our feelings and emotions.
TIPS FOR STIMULATING INTEREST IN BOOKS
Up to 12 months old
• Let your baby handle books freely and discover its different textures;Turn the pages of the book according to the baby's interest or help them do it;
• Repeating the words helps children connect the sound of the word with its meaning;
• Sit your baby on your lap, show them the pictures in the book, point to it and say the words they represent.
12 to 18 months
• Let the child choose the book they want to ‘read’ with you;
• Let the child turn the pages of the book;
• Read the words in the book and encourage the child to point to the pictures;
• Read and re-read the words.
TYPES OF BOOKS
• Soft books;
• Cardboard books with rounded corners (only a few pages);
• Books with flaps;
• Textured books;
• Books with sound, tactile and visual aids;
• Books with black and white contrasts.
IMPORTANT
• Make reading a part of your child's routine;
• Make reading a fun moment, never an obligation;
• Visit libraries and bookshops and give the child the freedom to choose;
• Be a reader too. Set an example.
