TTRA visits SFGH Post Natal Unit

Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Reading Association (TTRA) paid a surprise visit to five new mothers on the Post Natal Unit of the Labor Ward on Thursday 8th September, 2016. This TTRA project entitled ‘Read to me’ is to sensitize new mothers on the importance of positive communication with their newborns. The mothers were encouraged to start talking to their newborn even as they came out of the womb. Many people harbor a misconception that newborns are unable to understand words, but the fact is babies do listen to loving tones. Even though their coordination is not developed, babies respond to their mothers’ voice by making subtle body movements and facial expressions or even moving their arms and legs in time with their mothers' speech. Each of the five mothers were given reading material on how to effectively communicate with their newborns to improve literacy in the long run.

Photo: (R-L) Ms. Gwyneth Rawlins, member of the TTRA, Ms. Evelyn Holder and Ms. Judy Paul- Alexis, members of the Mothers’ Union talks to a new mother on the importance of communication and reading to her newborn.