Dr. William Ehman delivered baby Jacob, belonging to proud parents James and Jodie Dobby. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Roots to Read

‘If we don’t stimulate they actually don’t grow:’ infant literacy program launches at Nanaimo hospital

Jun 1, 2022 | 1:21 PM

NANAIMO — Emphasizing the importance of reading, speaking and singing to babies, volunteers created take-home literacy kits to be handed out at NRGH.

The NRGH Newborn Literacy Program, now commonly referred to as Roots to Read, saw its first hand-sewn bag featuring two books handed out on Wednesday, June 1.

Pediatrician Dr. Jane Pegg, one of the driving forces behind assembling 600 literacy packages now being given to new families, said human brains grow the most in the first year of life.

“It’s really, really important while those roots in our brain are growing to stimulate them. If we don’t stimulate they actually don’t grow,” Pegg said at the program launch.

Dr. Pegg added talking, reading, singing and making eye contact with newborns make a much more positive impact on future literacy proficiency than most people think.

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“Where you interact with your baby, your baby responds, you respond to your baby – that language communication actually promotes literacy and language development.”

Advice on connecting with infants and information about local library access are also included in the bags.

Dr. Pegg said with 1,300 babies born at NRGH annually, they have a good head start in fueling the program moving forward.

Local family physician Dr. William Ehman said a range of basic communications with infants sets them up for higher chances of success in life.

“They are fundamental in developing literacy. And now literacy is one of the most important detriments to health,” Ehman said, who told NanaimoNewsNOW he’s convinced the well thought out program will make a difference.

Appreciative first-time parents James and Jodie Dobby accepted the first ever Roots to Read donation.

Members of the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary, paranatal staff at NRGH and many other volunteers helped get Roots to Read off the ground.

Financial donations to ensure the initiative is a sustainable, long-term program can be made through the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation by clicking here.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes