Mother Goose on the Loose: Hatchlings is for expectant parents and parents of newborns.
Hatchlings, an expansion of Mother Goose on the Loose®, is an early literacy program for children birth-age 2 with their parents or caregivers ). Hatchlings: Ready to Hatch is for expectant parents and Hatchlings: In the Nest is for parents with newborns (from birth to six months old), many of whom may not be non-library users, historically under-served families, or families from under-represented populations. Hatchlings was designed to be hosted in a participating library and/or in an outreach location in coordination with at least one community partner.
100% of the parents who attended either of the Hatchlings workshops during the first three pilot years reported via surveys increased confidence regarding supporting their baby’s early literacy development before and after birth. 100% of parents also reported using information learned from Hatchlings and incorporating early literacy activities into their daily routines with their newborns and babies. Furthermore, all parents (100%) stated that the activities had helped them bond with their babies and that they were doing all the early literacy activities modeled in the workshops frequently to daily with their children.
Learn more about the two separate programs, Ready to Hatch for expectant parents (single session) and In the Nest for parents with newborns (series of four workshop sessions) below.
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Hatchlings: Ready to Hatch is for expectant parents.
MGOL Hatchlings: “Ready to Hatch” is a one session program that is held once a month for four months in a participating library as well as in an outreach location in coordination with at least one community partner. Its focus is on expectant families, many of whom may be non-library users, at-risk families, or families from under-represented populations. “Ready to Hatch” can be offered virtually or in-person.
Click here to watch a shortened virtual presentation of mini-Hatchlings: Ready to Hatch.
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“Thanks, this was great for my mental health to get out and learn and gain confidence.”
– Howard County Library System workshop participant
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Hatchlings: In the Nest is for parents of newborns.
MGOL Hatchlings: “In the Nest” is a four session program that takes place once a week for four consecutive weeks in both the library and in an outreach location in coordination with at least one community partner. It is designed for parents with newborns (from birth to four months old), many of whom may be non-library users, at-risk families, or families from under-represented populations.
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Hatchlings programs have been piloted and evaluated for three years with selected library systems across the state of Maryland. As of December 31, 2022, Hatchlings completed two pilot years with Carroll, Prince George, Calvert and Howard county libraries. Year three in Maryland expanded to include partnerships between libraries and Judy Centers in seven additional counties across the state. Since then, some Maryland pilot libraries and some which were not pilot libraries have continued successfully offering Hatchlings programs to their communities. New libraries in other states have also begun presenting Hatchlings and we hope to see this expansion continue!
To learn about key concepts and desired outcomes of MGOL Hatchlings, click here
To read the research findings, click here
To see photos from the Pilot Programs, click here
Listen to Ready to Hatch songs and rhymes
If you are a MGOL: Hatchlings: Ready To Hatch program facilitator, click here
If you are a MGOL: In the Nest program facilitator, click here
In-person and virtual trainings for Hatchlings are now available! Because these include multiple meetings and materials, please contact Dr. Diamant-Cohen directly to type of trainings and prices.
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