Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia talks with HCS Head Start students about what they are reading.
Reminder Publishing photo by Trent Levakis
HOLYOKE — Mayor Joshua Garcia was a special guest at HCS Head Start where he returned to embrace the youth and join students for a reading session once again.
Garcia visited the Churchill Head Start Center on April 29 and met with children before reading to them “Pete the Cat.”
The guest reader stays in line with the work done daily at HCS Head Start focused on developing young minds before they are old enough to begin school. Head Start promotes the many benefits of reading with young children and encourages parents to do so with their children as it allows them to connect words with pictures on the page, and to things in our world.
“Infants pick up on language earlier than we realize,” said Nicole Blais, HCS Head Start chief executive officer. “In fact, research shows that babies’ brains prepare to speak months before they say their first words. In order to complete this important brain preparation, children need to hear language.”
For more information on infant or toddle book selection visit eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/parenting/article/tips-parents-choosing-books-infants-toddlers.
