A love for books often begins in childhood. 

That’s why Luzerne County Head Start is laying the foundation for infants, toddlers and preschoolers in its early childhood programs to become lifelong readers. 

Thanks to a grant from the PNC Foundation, LCHS launched the Head Start Home Library Project this year and hosted a series of literacy events meant to help children from birth to age 5 build up their home libraries. 

Research shows that having access to books at home is one of the strongest predictors of academic achievement. A home library not only impacts the development of children, but their future success. Children with extensive home libraries read more, have higher-level literacy skills and attain more years of education than their peers with access to fewer books. However, starting and maintaining a home library as a child grows up can be cost prohibitive for low-income families like those who qualify for LCHS services.  

To bridge that gap, LCHS hosted 16 book fairs between its Head Start/Pre-K Counts and Early Head Start programs and distributed more than 1,800 books. Events were held in Hazleton, Edwardsville, Plymouth, Dallas, Nanticoke, Plains, Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Pittston and Exeter.  

Each child selected three books, mainly focused on social-emotional development, kindness and friendship, that interested them. Bilingual books were available for Spanish-speaking families. Parents and caregivers, as well as PNC employees, volunteered at the events. 

LCHS also invited community partners to provide families with literacy resources. The United Way of Wyoming Valley attended to enroll families in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a free program that provides new, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to age 5. Several local libraries participated to sign families up for library cards and provide information on their services and children’s programs.

Children were thrilled to have new books to take home and read with their families. For parents and caregivers, the experience not only emphasized their role as their child’s first and most important teacher, but allowed them to be active participants in their learning and development. Families were encouraged to continue adding to their home libraries and reading together at home to build their children’s early literacy skills. 

By Brooke Williams, Community Advocate