FREE BOOKS FOR BRIGG CHILDREN TO ENJOY

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

The latest Save the Children report has identified North Lincolnshire as one of the best places for children’s early development and learning. It shows 74 per cent of children are reaching a good level of development.   
​North Lincolnshire is listed in top 20 of local authorities across the country due to its continued investment in Early Years education.
This commitment to Early Years education helps ensure children in North Lincolnshire are given the best start in life and prepares them for their school years.
The launch of the Imagination Library in North Lincolnshire in 2013 has had a huge impact on the development and learning of children aged five and under.
The Imagination Library was created by Dolly Parton to guarantee access to books and to encourage parents and carers to read to their children as much as possible. Any child registered receives a free book each month in the post until their fifth birthday.
Over 13,000 children in North Lincolnshire have registered to the Imagination Library and over 280,000 books have been sent out.  
Around 88 per cent of children from birth to age five have registered to receive books.
There are over 160 Imagination Library Lead Champions in North Lincolnshire who are based in schools, Early Years providers and children’s centres. They run sessions with families to give them practical ideas and encouragement to get the most from sharing the books with their children.
A range of events and activities in addition to Imagination Library help with further development, such as Book Chatter, Booknics and stories in the park. All of these engage with parents and carers to help them recognise the role they play in supporting their child’s learning from birth and build confidence in learning at home.
Register your child (aged under five) for the Imagination Library at www.northlincs.gov.uk/imagination-library
They will receive a free book each month in the post.
Following the success of the Imagination Library, the council launched its own scheme called Words Count in 2015. This scheme aims to encourage people of all ages to read more and reap the many benefits. Words Count is now being shared by the Dollywood Foundation in USA.
Early Years providers and settings in North Lincolnshire support the development and learning of children. Currently 100 per cent of the settings are good or better and 98 per cent (better than national average of 84 per cent) of registered childminders are good or better in North Lincolnshire.
The Words Count More than Words literacy conference is coming to North Lincolnshire on 27 April at The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, to raise awareness of the importance of reading.
It aims to highlight the benefits of reading and how a whole community approach can help transform lives. More than Words will offer teachers, Early Years professionals, community leaders and anyone involved in literacy development an inspiring day with high profile speakers, insightful workshops and lots of ideas on how you might influence and promote reading.
For more details and to secure your place at the event, visit www.servicesforeducation.org.uk/Event/43769

NF ADDS: Brigg Library is situated with the Angel building in the Market Place, while Broughton's is within the Village Hall.
Our picture shows Couns Rob Waltham and Carl Sherwood - members of North Lincolnshire Council and Brigg Town Council - with Caroline Sanderson at Brigg Library.