DORCHESTER COUNTY
LIBRARY |
What is
it?
Bright Beginnings is a program
aimed at serving childcare
providers and parents of children ages 0-5 years old who live in Dorchester County.
What is its purpose?
The object of the program is to provide
literacy training and materials to effectively introduce children's books and related
activities to preschool children. Our long-term goal is to make literacy activities
a daily experience for every Dorchester County preschooler.
Why is this program
needed?
Nearly one in seven South Carolina children
are assessed "not ready" for first grade. Research studies repeatedly show
that children who arrive unprepared for first grade have a difficult time catching up and
succeeding. Bright Beginnings was developed to provide fun stimulating activities to
close the gap between those who are and are not ready for first grade.
What does the program
provide?
We provide fun, exciting, skill-specific
age-appropriate literature kits containing books, related games, puzzles, audio/video
tapes, puppets, and numerous other literature-related manipulatives. We also provide
free training in the use of these kits.
Click
here to see what is in a typical kit.
Who may participate?
What does it cost?
Our program for childcare
workers and parents of preschoolers is available
free of charge
and is on a voluntary
basis. Childcare workers who attend training workshops will
receive Department of Social Services Continuing Education Units;
parents who attend training workshops receive a
free book
for their child.
How can you take
advantage of this program?
Take our free training in the use of the
kits. Sign up for a workshop by either calling, e-mailing or signing up at the
library. Training workshops will be held on as needed basis at the Dorchester County
Library sites or at individual day care centers. A Dorchester County Library card is
necessary to check out these kits. Only those who have taken the training and
possess a valid library card may check out Bright Beginnings kits.
How can you contact us?
For more information call the
Jennie Johnston McMahan Library, St.George (Headquarters) at 563-9189 or the
George H. Seago, Jr. Library, Summerville (Branch) at 871-5075. Bright Beginnings
staff can be reached through e-mail at
ChildrensServices@dcl.lib.sc.us.
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