In celebration of World Book Day, Liverpool City Council has introduced an innovative project aimed at enhancing the experience of Storytime for parents. Known as “Tell Me a Story, Liverpool,” this pilot initiative is a collaboration between Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Dollywood Foundation, established by Dolly Parton to inspire children to excel academically.
The project’s primary objective is to assist parents in becoming adept storytellers by offering practical tips and guidance. Families participating in the programme will receive free books provided by the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Health professionals emphasize the various benefits of reading to young children, including the promotion of self-esteem, speech development, vocabulary enrichment, imagination stimulation, and even improvement of sleep patterns.
Through “Tell Me a Story, Liverpool,” around 100 families in the city will gain valuable insights into the significance of books and storytelling in their child’s development. Each participating family will receive a book monthly for a minimum of three years, nurturing a lifelong passion for reading. Additionally, families with children aged 0-5 can take advantage of the ‘BookStart’ programme, which encourages shared reading from an early age.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, and Culture, expressed delight at the prospect of families discussing how books and stories can aid in their child’s development. Prof Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health, highlighted the benefits of engaging with children through picture or story books, underscoring the role of rhymes, songs, and repetition in helping them interpret the world around them. Cath Creed, Family Nurse Partnership supervisor, commended the collaboration with various partners in enriching the lives of young parents and infants through shared reading opportunities
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