Baby’s Day Out book – fun for tots and great for families

Baby’s Day Out book – fun for tots and great for families

The importance of providing children with the best possible start in life will be highlighted today [Friday 8 March] at the launch of the ‘Baby’s Day Out’ book in the Central Library, Derry~Londonderry.

The book features a story about a child visiting the city and learning about the fascinating things it has to offer, and is being launched at the RhymeTime session as part of the Humdinger!  Children's Book Festival, one of several City of Culture events taking place during 2013.

Brendan Bonner, Head of Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement Team at the PHA explained:  “Every child born in 2013 in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) area will be gifted with the specially commissioned book to encourage parents and children to embrace books and reading together from day one.

“The care provided by parents and the wider family circle gives young children the best possible foundation for a thriving future.”

What happens in the early stages of life, and in particular before a child enters school, will impact significantly on their growth and development throughout their school years and also their long term health, wellbeing and life chances.

Brendan Bonner continued: “Baby’s Day Out is part of the PHA’s Extraordinary People’s project, our commitment to delivering on the legacy from the City of Culture initiative.  We wanted to support an initiative that would develop a culture of reading, learning but also including issues such as parent and child bonding, this book was a unique opportunity to do all three. 

“This book helps by ensuring that parents have the right advice and support to help give their babies the best start in life in a meaning and innovative way. We hope the children and parents treasure the book but more importantly use it to trigger a culture of reading within the home that will lead to learning and enrichment in the future.

"These benefits will stretch beyond health to educational attainment, employment, and reducing numbers entering the criminal justice system.”

Mr Gerard Guckian, Chair of the WHSCT, said: “The focus of this book is to reinforce the family unit, and in particular parents and the important role they play in creating a positive environment through which infants can flourish.

“This book is reflective of the continued efforts being made by the Western Trust through its Infant Mental Health Strategy, which was launched in 2011, to improve the future for every child.

“The book also ties into a targeted poster campaign which focuses on the five core areas of ‘No smoking or drinking alcohol during pregnancy’, ‘Breastfeed your baby’, ‘Read a story to your child every day’, ‘Give your child lots of love, affection and praise’ and ‘Have fun and play with your child.’

“Today’s book launch is a part of the Trust’s continued work in this area and its recently launched children’s Emotional Wellbeing Strategy, Northern Ireland’s first. Over and above all that it is a very special book. Beautiful in design and with wonderful local features it should be a welcome gift to every family in this City of Culture year.”

Dog Ears is delighted to host the official launch of the beautiful board book Baby’s Day Out. The board books are a lovely keepsake for all the babies born in 2013 and feature lovely illustrations from Bang on The Door. Baby’s Day Out is sure to be big hits in households throughout the city.

Culture Company 2013 Cultural Programmer Claire McDermott said: “This beautiful book is one that children can treasure for years to come. It’s wonderfully written and illustrated and really gives a flavour of what our city is about in this very special year.  PHA, Dog Ears and Bang on the Door have collaborated very successfully in the production of this board book, embodying the creative connection that City of Culture is aiming to foster during 2013 and beyond.” 

 

Further information

Contact PHA Communications on (028) 9055 3663

Notes to the editor
  • The PHA, through the Western Investing for Health Partnership fully commissioned and led on the development of this baby book.
  • The book was developed and designed in partnership with WHSCT, the Culture Company and Dog Ears.
  •  The WHSCT consulted on the book through a number of their Forums and are disseminating the book through their midwives within the 2 local hospitals.
  •  The Culture Company inputted in the design of the book, ensuring the City locations were well marketed throughout.
  • Dog Ears consulted, designed and published the book. They are also hosting the launch.
  • Bang on the Door provided the Illustrations for the book