Providing baby knowledge and teaching literacy at the same time
July 1, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Women's Health
Baby care isn’t the natural thing that people think it should be. If a woman hasn’t been exposed to caring for young children, they won’t naturally know what to do. In today’s world of smaller, nuclear, and far-flung families, many women have never even held a baby before they become pregnant themselves. While the desire and maternal feelings may exist, the practicality of knowing what to do, may not.
For many women, not knowing what to do is easily solved by reading about it and learning the necessary skills. But what about women who can’t read, who don’t have the necessary literary skills, nor the backing of people to help them? How do they learn? It’s not that far fetched, unfortunately. Some statistics show that as many as 50 million Americans can’t read above grade 5 reading level.
Heidi Murkoff figured out a solution to give some women a head start: the What to Expect Foundation and the book Baby Basics. According to the article, ‘Baby Basics’ delivers information, literacy, “The foundation doesn’t simply give out its books. It also teaches moms how to read them, says executive director Lisa Bernstein. “We see pregnancy as this incredibly teachable moment. We’ve hidden literacy into prenatal education.”"
The importance of this type of learning can’t be over emphasized. According to the What To Expect Foundation, the US infant mortality rate is higher than 28 other nations. And, one in six children live in poverty. Women who know what to expect during their pregnancy and how to care for their children will have healthier pregnancies and healthier children. This starts a cycle of better health and quality of life.
Images: iStock
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You’ve given me something to think about here, Marijke. I’m an author and teacher and hadn’t connected reading, literacy (or lack of it) with baby care…both before and after the baby is born. Duh! Although I read before and after my daughter was born, as well as with my grandchildren. It seems those of us who read, and love it, take it for granted.
50 million Americans can’t read above grade 5 reading level
wow
Mary Emma – you’re so right about us taking it for granted. We just can’t imagine what it’s like. Even if we go to a country that doesn’t use our language, we can look at the writing to see if we can figure things out.
I can read fluently in two languages and laboriously in a third – I just can’t image not being able to read.
I think that’s a great idea. In my area, I’d love to see some free parenting education courses, where a method like this could be employed on a large scale.
My daughter can’t wait to learn to read, but she doesn’t like to be read to. She’ll ‘read’ a book and discuss it and the pictures with you, but she does not like for you to read to her. It’s funny because she sees me reading all the time.
I read everything I could get my hands on while pregnant. Every method, every viewpoint. I wanted to make well rounded decisions.