Born to Read
Sponsored by the Friends of the Palm Springs Library and supported in part by grants from the Desert Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and the Anderson Children's Foundation, the Born to Read program was created to encourage and assist in fostering early literacy in the Coachella Valley. By gifting new parents with a Born to Read Kit, it is our hope that we will help provide the spark that will ignite a love of books, libraries and learning in the next generation.
It is imperative that children are read to from infancy. According to First5California.com, babies form brain connections—determining how they learn, think and grow—from the very moment they are born. Reading aloud to babies helps infants learn vocabulary and stimulates, strengthens and develops brain cells. Studies have shown that children who are frequently read to, know more words by age two.
In addition, reading aloud to infants from day 1:
- Builds a baby's language awareness as well as listening and memory skills
- Introduces concepts such as stories, colors, and shapes
- Promotes bonding and closeness—babies are soothed by the sound and rhythm of their parents' voices
- Gives babies information about the world around them
- Instills a lifelong love of books and learning
- Desert Regional Medical Center: Healthy Beginnings provides you with the tools you’ll need to get off to a healthy journey with your new baby. The trained, professional staff offers support and educational classes (some fees may apply) to make you a confident parent and have a healthy lifestyle.
- Head Start Locator helps find a Head Start Location for your child.
- Riverside and San Bernardino County Community Resources
- School Districts
- Developmental Milestones from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers a list of milestones children generally attain at certain ages as well as resources and information for parents concerned about their child. Click on the links to find printable checklists:
- First5California.com was created by voters under Proposition 10 to recognize that children's health and education is a top priority, especially in the early years of development. Research shows 90 percent of a child's brain develops in the first five years of life. Making those years count is what First 5 California is all about. Our focus is to educate parents and caregivers about the important role they play in their children's first years.
- Colorín Colorado provides information for English Language Learners in both English and Spanish.
- Department of Education: Early Learning Resources gives information about Early Literacy, Special Education, Early Childhood Development and English Language Learners.
- Zero to Three: Parent Portal contains information and resources regarding your child. Parenting is an ongoing process of learning who your individual child is and what he or she needs to thrive. Resources are designed to help you tune in to what makes your child tick, and to guide you in thinking about the best way to meet your child’s individual needs.
Vouchers are provided in new parent folders at Desert Regional Medical Center (anyone who gives birth at Desert Regional Medical Center is given a voucher in this folder). Parents and parents-to-be can also receive a Born to Read Kit by taking a class at Healthy Beginnings (Healthy Beginnings works with Desert Regional Medical Center to provide tours, birthing classes and follow-up parenting classes—some fees may apply for these classes).
A Born to Read Kit contains a complementary tote bag, two bilingual books, a bib, and a booklet emphasizing the importance of reading to babies and describing the developmental stages of early childhood.
- Friends of the Palm Springs Library (FOPSL) are enthusiastic supporters who promote interest in the Library, and encourage and administer dues, gifts, and bequests. Library Friends often sponsor a book club, and help promote the critical fundraising programs and special events that help raise the funds needed to purchase library materials and equipment.
Additional Support in Part by Grants From:
- Desert Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Foundation is the not-for-profit fundraising and charitable outreach arm of the hospital volunteer services. The auxiliary has been in existence since the 1950s.
- Anderson Children's Foundation was established in 1970 by Irene W. Anderson. With a heart for children, yet having none of her own, Ms. Anderson established the Anderson Children's Foundation in memory of her late husband Guy L. Anderson. The purpose of the Anderson Children's Foundation is to provide for unmet needs of children of every race, culture and creed.