Emergent Literacy Parent Package for Health Care Professionals
The Emergent Literacy Program helps health care professionals bring early literacy support to families during the Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit.
The well-baby visit is an opportunity to promote healthy child development and identify developmental concerns early and before school entry.
Health care professionals who implement the Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit are invited to participate in this program.
Early development in Niagara
In the 2018 results for the Early Development Instrument, four domains show that the vulnerability of five year old children to meet age-appropriate developmental expectations in Niagara is above the provincial average.
This is even more concerning as we see growing evidence of the negative child and family outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
What's in the package
For health care providers
- Clinical tools
- Key messages for the visit and and a red flag document with referrals
- Information on community resources and supports
- Optional: An in-person academic detailing session (15 minutes) with a public health nurse to review emerging literature on literacy and recommended guidelines
For parents
- An age appropriate children's book
- Helpful tips on reading
- Resources to local community supports for families
How to participate
Step 1
Complete two mandatory accredited e-learning modules (approximately 30 minutes each).
- Mandatory: Early Literacy Promotion: The A-B-Cs for busy clinicians - Canadian Paediatric Society
- Choose one of the machealth Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit modules:
Once complete, you will receive a certificate of participation.
Step 2
Submit a partnership agreement form.
For a hard copy, email HCPengagement@niagararegion.ca.
Once your completed partnership agreement is received, a public health outreach nurse will provide you with a health care provider package and parent packages.
Step 3
Provide a parent package and key emergent literacy messages during the enhanced 18-month well-baby visit.