Seven hundred babies come into the world each year at Griffin Hospital, and if a Valley-wide early education project succeeds in its mission, those little ones will be enjoying books soon.
A cloth children’s book meant to be read by parents to their bundle of joy is part of a free kit of educational materials for babies that will be useful to new parents for many years to come. The kits were delivered to Griffin Monday and will be given to parents who have babies there.
“We are honored to do this for this wonderful hospital,” said Pam Lorenzo, Chair of the Early Childhood Task Force, which approached Griffin to launch the new community project because the hospital is where the most Valley babies are born.
Lorenzo and her associates delivered 40 boxes packed with 1,000 kits, valued at a total of $5,000.
Each kit is encased in a plastic carrying case and contains a welcome letter, the cloth book, called “Busy Baby,” two informational sheets on why reading to babies is important and resources for babies, two resources guides for living in the Valley, and a booklet about child development.
“Since a baby learns from the moment of birth, this packet is intended to promote a healthy, happy and successful life for parents and children as they grow together,” Lorenzo said.
The gift was possible through the generosity of the four Valley Readiness Councils and Discovery Projects of Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton, the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund in Hamden, and the Early Childhood Task Force.
Matching funds came from the respective Valley Boards of Education and municipalities, Valley United Way, Valley Community Foundation, and Training, Education And Manpower, known as TEAM.
It is the first project of its kind, said Patrick Charmel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Griffin Hospital.
“We all talk about early childhood development but this is really early. It gets parents thinking and gives them resources to start on the right foot,” Charmel said. “It makes them aware of the resources available.”
There is a resource center at Griffin for young parents, but they must seek out information they need. Charmel said the difference with the baby kits is that every family will go home with one.
“It gets them started on early childhood development,” Charmel said.
Some of the kits had already gone to new parents, by the end of day Monday.
“The parents are loving it,” said Luanne Miller, acting director of the childbirth center.
