New storybook Treasures of Kerkrade supports language-rich start for children

Giving all children a good start is the goal of Taalrijke Start Zuid-Limburg (Language-rich Start South Limburg). Following the introduction of this program at the end of last year, all municipalities in South Limburg are now taking a new step. Starting in March, all parents of newborn babies will receive the storybook Schatten van Kerkrade during their first visit to the health clinic.

With this book, we help parents to talk, sing, and play with their child from day one. In the first years of life, young children's brains grow rapidly and the foundations for language are laid.

Why a storybook?

In the Netherlands, one in four children starts school with a language deficit. And once they fall behind, they often cannot catch up. The first 1000 days are crucial. During this period, no less than 80% of the connections in the brain are formed.

Yet around 40% of parents are unaware of how important talking and doing things together is for language development. Schatten van Kerkrade provides parents with simple inspiration to get started with this at home.

Strong together for a language-rich start

Taalrijke Start is an initiative of all municipalities in South Limburg, the libraries, GGD Zuid-Limburg, Trendbreuk, the Province of Limburg, Stadsregio Parkstad, CZ, and Taalschatten. They are working together on one clear mission: to ensure that all children are well prepared to start primary school. This joint effort was launched last fall during the kick-off of Taalrijke Start Zuid-Limburg, in the presence of Princess Laurentien.