Plunket and Storytime - Books for Babies

Media Release
12 March 2015
For immediate release

Plunket and Storytime - Books for Babies

A programme designed to improve bonding between new born babies and their families is being launched in Porirua next week (news eds: launch is on 18 March).

Storytime Foundation Chief Executive Tony Culliney says “the ‘Books for Babies’ programme is designed to encourage families to bond with their newborn children through reading books and telling stories.

Storytime Foundation, in cooperation with Plunket and other agencies, plays a critical role for families with newborns that experience disadvantage, have few if any books in the home and have not bonded well with their babies. A strong bond between a caregiver and child during early days of a child’s life significantly improves outcomes in life for the child and the wider family unit. It also has positive effects on family literacy.”
Books, information and support are delivered into New Zealand’s most deprived homes to enhance early attachment, build cohesive families and improve social outcomes
Parents are encouraged to take time to read and talk to their baby—this remains a key determinant of early attachment
“We, via Plunket and other Well Child providers, give age appropriate books to families, who have not yet had an experience of using books, as a way to help them experience the joy that a young baby can bring to their family”, he says.

Bridget Robertson , Plunket Porirua Clinical Leader, says that as New Zealand’s largest provider of Well Child services, seeing 9 out of 10 babies born in New Zealand, Plunket is uniquely placed to help support and deliver the programme.

“We’re always looking for new ways to work with parents and communities to ensure that New Zealand children get the best start in life.

“Research clearly tells us that children introduced to books as babies not only have increased literacy but better health and development outcomes in the long-term. This just seemed a natural fit for us.”

The “Books for Babies” programme was first introduced in Auckland in 1997 and to date, over 100,000 books have been delivered to families with new born children in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti and Canterbury. It’s been such a huge success that the Storytime Foundation is expanding the programme to the Wellington region.

The first communities to receive the programme, being rolled out over the next 6 months, are in Porirua.

Funding and in-kind sponsorship for the programme has come from a number of agencies, including the Tindall Foundation, Infinity Foundation, Penguin publishers, and other funders and donors. Mr Culliney says once the programme is underway he’s hopeful of securing further financial support and encourages individuals to go on line and make a donation (www.storytime.org.nz).

“It costs $50 for each child to complete the programme and we currently have enough funding to start the Porirua programme with just 150 families. Over the next six months or so I hope to be able to gradually expand the programme across the region”, he says.

The programme is a cooperative venture involving the Storytime Foundation, Plunket and other Well Child providers, plus libraries and local and national funders.

– ENDS –

How does the programme work?
The programme is targeted to families that front line staff from Plunket and other Well Child providers have identified could benefit from the programme. They assess each family to see if they have books in the home or if the family uses a local library. If the family doesn’t have access to children’s books their child is enrolled immediately and they receive quality new books, totally free of charge, as a personal gift.
For more information visit http://www.storytime.org.nz

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