When parents and small children read together, the children are actually learning the basics of speech and language. Reading with even the littlest children helps develop critical early skills including logical thinking, enhanced concentration, language development, and social-emotional competence. Can you recall a time you saw a child pick up a book, and pretend to read? Most of the time, the child is just speaking gibberish, however this is an important pre literary step! The more jabbering they do, the closer they are to learning how to sound out words on their own.

Not only is reading with children important for them, but for parents and caretakers as well. As children grow and become more active, they will frequently be on the move. Incorporating book sharing is a great way for families and children to slow down and connect.

SPCC is seeking donations of NEW children’s books appropriate for children birth through 3 years old. Board books, bath books and cloth books are excellent choices. Please withhold donations of books for older children or books that are worn. Through the Parents as Teachers (PAT) model, SPCC is able to provide families with support and engage parents in understanding their child’s development through play, and book sharing is an essential component of that practice. The PAT model is shown to help in having parents more involved in their child’s health and development and increase school readiness and success. SPCC provides up to two books a month to over 70 families, promoting early reading and parent-child attachment. Books are costly, and it can be difficult for us to give books on a consistent basis. With your help, we’d like to change this!

Here is a link to a list of titles that are particularly valuable, we most frequently use, and can be found at most children’s book stores.

If you would like to purchase a book through Amazon, please go to smile.amazon.com and choose Rochester Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children as your charity of choice.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Becca Schmeer at rschmeer@spcc-roch.org.