Nurturing Early Literacy
Council Expands Family Book Bag Programs

The Council piloted a small early literacy project with a grant from TD Bank which grew into a larger initiative funded by the Sexauer Foundation and later the Edith Glick Shoolman Children’s Foundation.   The Early Literacy Book Bag Program builds the literacy skills of young children from economically-disadvantaged families by increasing their exposure to books and activities that support early literacy skills both in their child care programs and at home with their parents. 

In the first year of the Sexauer grant, the Council worked with 13 family-based and 10 classrooms in 5 centers.  The Shoolman grant, which runs through the end of 2011, allowed the Council to work with 10 centers, representing 8 infant classrooms, 7 toddler classrooms and 5 preschool classrooms. 

Every week, each child takes home a theme-based book bag kit that includes several books as well as manipulatives (puzzles, figures) and arts and crafts.  Tips for parents are included.  Participating staff have received training and technical assistance from the Council staff and consultants.  

The results of the first year of the Sexauer Foundation are exciting.  Over 200 children participated.  All 9 family child care providers that completed the Get Ready to Read pre and post instruments showed increases in literacy activity and resources; 9 of 10 classrooms registered improved scores on their post ITERS subscales.  

Family participation in the project was high.  At one center, staff reported that all of their parents participated and parents asked to keep the bags longer than the usual one week period.  This center also indicated that the project improved parent communication, helping to “break the ice” with something new and fun to discuss other than the customary talk about daily routines.   The response to the staff workshops was also positive, with participants particularly enthusiastic about the sessions on promoting early literacy through the use of language and books, which included a hands-on book making activity.

The Council is continuing its work with a second year of funding from the Sexauer Foundation.

For more information about the Council’s early literacy projects, contact Nicole La Bar, Director of Professional Development at (914) 761-3456 ext. 108 or nicolel@cccwny.org.

“The Sexauer Foundation is proud to support the Child Care Council of Westchester's work to build young children's literacy skills. We continue to be impressed with the important work the Council is doing.” Eileen Hoffman, President The Sexauer Foundation