‘Baby Bookworms’ will begin in West Hartford on Oct. 21, 2015. 

Children and their caregivers enjoy Baby Bookworms. The program will be offered again beginning Oct. 21. Submitted photo

Submitted by Judy Bierly, The Bridge Family Center

The Bridge places a big priority on family literacy. Our Family Resource Center (FRC) at Charter Oak International Academy will offer a second cycle of Baby Bookworms, a family literacy program that focuses on the importance of reading to your baby.

In the Baby Bookworms program, parents will learn new interactive ways to read books with their children, connect with the public library, and build a lasting love of reading. They will learn the importance of building vocabulary by reading to their children beginning in infancy and leading the way to academic success.

Amber, the mother of a little girl who participated in Baby Bookworms last year, said, “This program changed our lives. We went from reading time being frustrating and short to being our favorite time. Our 22-month-old now brings us books and asks us to read with her. She points to pictures in the book and then runs to find that object in her room. We have learned so much from this class!”

Participants enjoying Baby Bookworms last spring. The program will begin again on Oct. 21. Submitted photo

The program will meet on eight Wednesday mornings from Oct. 21 to Dec. 9, from 11 – 11:45 a.m. It is especially for children ages birth through 3 accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Big brothers and sisters are welcome.

Families will take a book home each week, and will enjoy guest speakers and door prizes. The cost is $5 per family. Call the FRC with questions at 860-929-5575. To sign up, stop by the FRC at Charter Oak School, 425 Oakwood Ave.

The program is supported by generous donor-advised funds through the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving with additional funding from Berkshire Bank. The program will be offered twice a year.