Western Baptist partners with Paducah’s Rotary Club and the McCracken County Library to provide new books to all babies born at the hospital.

Monna Sweatt, director of Maternal-Child Services at Western Baptist, said new moms appreciate the books. “This reminds them how important it is to begin reading to their babies early,” said Sweatt.

The program is a result of The Public Library Association’s Early Literacy Initiative to help prepare children to read. Research shows reading to children at a very young age may advance a child’s vocabulary, narrative skills and letter knowledge.

Experts recommend these reading tips for infants from birth to 2 years old:

• Choose books with clear and simple pictures.
• Point to pictures and talk about what’s taking place.
• Share books with your baby every day, if just for a few minutes.