Research shows that how families play, talk, read, and listen with their children before kindergarten drastically affects their brain development and future school success. Not only can it predict their fourth-grade oral comprehension ability and lay the foundation for positive reading experiences at school, but it also helps develop a young child’s positive self-concept, emotional regulation, and resiliency into adulthood.
First 5 Tehama understands that a family is a child’s first and most important teacher. This dedicated local organization is dedicated to ensuring every child in our area gets the best start in life. Sadly, the group’s usual outreach efforts took quite a hit in 2020. With increased restrictions and regulations wrapped around events and establishing human connections, First 5 Tehama leaders knew they had to make a drastic pivot if they hoped to engage the community.
“When things get hard, reading, connecting, and playing can make things better,” shared Heidi Mendenhall, Tehama County Children and Families Commission Executive Director. “So, in the middle of all of the tough losses, transitions, changes, and stressors of the pandemic, it was even more important to give families and children opportunities for the resilience of connection through reading, singing, and playing.”
It’s this line of forward-thinking that led to this organization’s latest re-imagined program. Meet the First 5 Tehama Book Club. This brilliant opportunity is rooted in the Talk, Read, Sing movement, and provides local families with multiple events to partake throughout the year. From online and virtual experiences to drive-through book handouts and eventually face-to-face gatherings, First 5 Tehama crafted the most magical experience for any family with a child 0-5.
What can book club members expect? Upon signing up via the link below, participants will enjoy a Talk, Read, Sing Week three times throughout the year. During these windows, enrolled children will get to pick up their books, resiliency tools (i.e., musical instruments, etc.), and critical parent/family information linked to developing a strong language foundation and reading skills. This program is free. However, participating families can make donations upon registration. All of the books provided will be bilingual (English and Spanish) to ensure accessibility.
After connecting to bring the community Libros and Lunch as well as the Drive-Thru Story Time, the Tehama County Library was quickly pinpointed as a critical partner in the First 5 Tehama Book Club. Families will identify which library location they live closest to (Los Molinos, Corning, or Red Bluff), and this will serve as an option for a book location pickup during Talk, Read, Sing Weeks.
“Both First 5 Tehama and the Tehama County Library are very passionate about providing early literacy experiences for our community and enjoy teaming up on new and exciting projects,” offered Christine Kingsbury, Tehama County Youth Services Librarian. “Early literacy is so vital to a child’s healthy development, and together we can better support families in our community.”
This program truly is a welcomed addition this year. With key community partnership events such as the Tehama County Children’s Fair and the Month of the Young Child Kick-Off being canceled or postponed due to COVID, the First 5 Book Club offers that element that local families are missing, and frankly longing for, in our area.
Register for Book Club!
Registration for the First 5 Book Club is officially open. All families with a child aged 0-5 are encouraged to enroll. Simply click the button below to access the online application. The first Read Talk Sing Week will be held the week before Thanksgiving.
Are you interested in supporting the First 5 Tehama’s Talk, Read, Sing initiative? Community involvement is a massive component of our work. Contact Heidi Mendenhall (email here) to make a donation or to become an event volunteer.
