The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Inc. (PHELC) launches LOVING START, a new early literacy initiative that will kick-off in Pasco County with the Medical Center of Trinity, an HCA Healthcare West Florida Hospital. PHELC partnered with Free Spirit Publishing for the selection of the book Cuddle by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lsoviskis, which is part of the publisher’s Happy Healthy Baby Series. This series of books supports new moms in their journey to build language development and relationships from birth.

On Thursday, September 30, the Coalition “Kicks-off” Loving Start with a donation of 1,000 Cuddle books to Medical Center of Trinity, which will be distributed to new moms, supported by the OB and NICU departments. “We are excited to be part of the Loving Start program and encourage reading and bonding for our new moms”, said Tripp Owings, CEO, Medical Center of Trinity. “Our team knows the value of the parent – baby relationship and this will be an additional encouragement for our caregivers to promote this development.”

Early literacy improves language skills and prepares young children for school. Since 2005, the Early Learning Coalition supports high-quality education for children ages 0-5 in Pasco and Hernando Counties with School Readiness and VPK services. “We are grateful to partner with Medical Center of Trinity who sees the value of prioritizing children’s literacy and together we can advance this early literacy initiative. We are excited to be a part of encouraging a parent[1]child’s bond with their first book, Cuddle!” said Dr. Steve Knobl, PHELC Executive Director. “The Coalition’s Loving Start program serves to support new mothers in their journey to building language development and positive relationships with their child. This book-sharing experience may very well be their child’s earliest memory of loving to read.” explained, Sherri Sabadishin, PHELC Early Literacy Specialist.

Why early literacy for infants and toddlers? “When you share books with your very young child you support emerging literacy as you: help your child learn that pictures and words are symbols that can be interpreted; expose your child to new words and thereby increasing their vocabulary.” (www.Naeyc.org) Loving Start operates under PHELC, a 501c3 organization. For more information on how you can help to expand our literacy commitment, please contact Sherri Sabadishin, Early Literacy Specialist at 727-233-8291.