Babies born at Washington County Hospital during the upcoming year received good news again this past holiday season. Each infant will be presented a new "board" book targeted for immediate use with newborns.
Meanwhile, their parents are provided with information designed to encourage reading to children. Many studies have revealed the immense value to children of exposure to literature from birth.
For the fifth consecutive year, this head start for entirely has been funded through the enthusiastic reading accomplishments of Washington County elementary school students.
The Books for Babies program sponsors a "Reading to Make Cents" contest in which students obtain sponsors to make pledges for every book they read during National Children's Book Week in November. This effort supplies a double benefit by fostering reading at the school-age level, as well as for babies at the beginning of their lifetime reading experience.