Let's Grow and Play with Books!...Gwanak-gu's First Life Book 'Bookstart' Project

[Seoul District News] Gwanak-gu, Dong Community Center Linked 2016-2022 Birth Cohort Early Childhood Stage 'Bookstart Book Package' Gift... Various Programs Including Book Play Classes and Bookstart Parent Education for Young Children and Parents

Gwanak-gu Bookstart Book Play Class Program

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is promoting the ‘Bookstart’ project to help infants and toddlers become familiar with books from an early age and to spread a reading culture.

‘Bookstart,’ which began in the UK in 1992, is a global reading movement that has spread to about 40 countries. It means starting life with books, helping form reading habits through enjoyable experiences with books and libraries from childhood, and fostering attachment between babies and parents through picture books.

The district runs various programs such as stage-by-stage ‘Bookstart Book Package Gifts’ for infants and toddlers, ‘Book Play Classes’ where mothers and babies play together using books as a medium, and ‘Parent Education’ sessions exploring ways for parents and children to grow together with books.

With the meaning of ‘starting life with books,’ the program is divided into three stages at community service centers: Stage 1 at birth registration, Stage 2 for ages 1 to 4, and Stage 3 for ages 5 to 7, providing book packages suitable for each age group.

The books are selected by volunteer coordinators through meetings from recommended titles by Bookstart Korea, and the support targets infants and toddlers born between 2016 and 2022 residing in Gwanak-gu.

The Bookstart book packages can be received from the 19th at community service centers upon birth registration for Stage 1. Infants and toddlers who did not receive the book package due to birth registration before July can receive it at the Gwanak Central Library Children’s Section by presenting a guardian’s ID and resident registration certificate.

Also, the book play program, centered on the distributed picture books and involving mothers and children, is held at Gwanak Central Library.

It consists of three courses by age group, where after reading themed books, participants enjoy learning various topics such as greetings, physical play, color play, and sound play in a fun way.

Additionally, parent education covering understanding infant and toddler development, reading guidance, and selecting picture books is conducted to provide time for natural communication with children.

Along with this, the Gwanak Cultural Foundation is nurturing ‘Bookstart Volunteers.’ Through online and offline training, volunteers acquire basic knowledge necessary to operate the Bookstart program and gain volunteer experience by participating in reading culture programs.

In particular, the district plans to expand the Bookstart program, which has so far focused on infants and toddlers, to include elementary school students starting this September.

For more details about Bookstart, visit the Gwanak-gu Integrated Library website or contact the Library Plus Team at the Gwanak Cultural Foundation.

Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, “Raising and educating children is no longer an individual issue but a social responsibility,” and added, “We will continue to carry out various Bookstart projects so that all children in Gwanak-gu can grow up bright and healthy through picture books.”