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Data from Ready to Hatch, Pilots 1 & 2

Hatchlings, Ready to Hatch is a one workshop program. Parents are asked to complete an evaluation immediately following their Ready to Hatch workshop and a follow-up survey is solicited after their babies are born. (Note: Follow-up data collection is still in process for Pilot 2.)

 

All parents (100 percent) surveyed (n=37) agreed that they learned and increased their confidence regarding supporting their baby’s early literacy development (before and after birth) by participating in the Ready to Hatch workshop.

Preliminary follow-up surveys found that all parents (100 percent) reported using the information from the Hatchlings workshop and incorporating early literacy activities into their daily routines with their newborns. Furthermore, all parents (100 percent) stated that the activities had helped them bond with their babies and feel more confident about supporting their new baby’s early literacy development.

Quotes from Participants

Thanks, this was great for my mental health to get out and learn and gain confidence.”

– Howard County Library System workshop participant


I share the book with him every night before my daughter falls asleep as it is part of her routine and now my son is in the routine a little bit. I sing to him sometimes when I help him to fall asleep. I even talk to him when I am changing his diaper and I talk to him during tummy time in his baby gym. I am excited to have been part of this experience before my baby was born and I will be extra thrilled when I join the hatchlings in the nest event. Most I am happy for my son. I feel these are exciting and crucial times for him to be educated in such a positive and fun way.

– Katya Lienard, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System workshop participant, Follow-up survey response

Data from In the Nest, Pilots 1 & 2

Hatchlings, In the Nest is a four-workshop program for parents and their newborns. Parents are asked to complete a workshop evaluation following their first and last sessions. A follow-up survey is also solicited several months after the series is completed. (Note: Follow-up data collection is still in process for Pilot 2.)

All parents (100 percent) surveyed (n = 61) agreed that they learned and increased their confidence regarding supporting their baby’s early literacy development by participating in the In the Nest workshops. Another key finding was that all parents (100 percent) agreed that they planned to make use of library programs and materials with their children in the future.

Preliminary follow-up surveys found that all parents (100 percent) reported using the information from the Hatchlings workshops and incorporating early literacy activities into their daily routines with their babies. Furthermore, all parents (100 percent) 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.

Quotes from Participants

“I love this program, especially since I can attend while on maternity leave. I love in person and learning new ways to interact with my baby. This is an amazing program!”

– Sheila Patterson, Howard County Library System workshop participant

“Our presenter did a great job of making everyone feel comfortable and gave us some great ideas to foster literacy.”

– Ann Heaton, Carroll County Public Library workshop participant


“I will for sure do more bouncing songs with my baby and do more of the “stop” songs!”

– Bobbi Jo Cave, Calvert Library participant

Our Evaluator

Elaine Czarnecki is a literacy consultant specializing in evaluation and early literacy. She has provided consulting, professional development, and evaluation services for a variety of initiatives across the country since first beginning her work with public libraries in 2001.Her recent projects include the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funded Cruise into Kindergarten initiative in Pennsylvania, the Southeast Florida Library (SEFLIN) Building Capacity for Early Literacy Programming initiative, and the LSTA funded Peer Coaching to Improve Technology, Information and Digital Media Literacies for Families project in Maryland, among others. Elaine is the co-author of Every Child Ready for School: Helping Adults Inspire Children to Learn, published by ALA Editions, Tender Topics: Picture Books about Childhood Challenges, published by Huron Street Press, and the Every Child Ready to Read Toolkit for Serving Early Childhood Educators, also published by ALA Editions.

Click here for desired outcomes

Click here for Pilot Evaluation Highlights from Elaine as of Jan 1, 2023