By SARA VAN DYCK Special to the Daily Press
New mothers can now get free kits to help them understand the importance of early language development for their children.
Using a $4,000 grant from the Weingart Foundation, the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library have developed and distributed the packages, which are available at the Westside Family Health Center on Ocean Park Boulevard. The Infant & Family Support Program for Children on Lincoln Boulevard, the Family Service of Santa Monica on Euclid Avenue and other agencies also will offer them.
The materials include guides in English and Spanish for parents on how to help children with language development. A Santa Monica Public Library guide offers suggestions on using library resources and the babies will get a bib in English and Spanish, as well as the Pudgy Pat-a-Cake book.
The Westside Family Health Center serves low-income families, most of whom are Latinos.
“This will encourage women to read to their children and expose them to reading at an early age. I think this is very important,” said Maria Honon, assistant director of clinical services at the center.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 16, 2003. Read the original PDF.