"Snuggle Stories" is the fruit of the collaboration of many local agencies in Waterford

This project is an early literacy initiative included as an action in the Waterford Children and Young People’s plan (2016-1018). Snuggle stories is an inter-agency initiative including The H.S.E, Waterford Library services, Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board, Waterford Childcare committee, Respond Support, Túsla, Foróige and Waterford Area Partnership.

You can find out more here:

How does it work?

There are two stands to the current model of Snuggle Stories:

Strand 1 : is a universal approach to provide a book pack to all parents at their babies ‘nine month developmental check’ with their public Health Nurse in Waterford city, County and South Kilkenny. Over 2000 snuggle story packs were distributed over a two year period between 2016 and 2018.

What are its objectives

Speaking to me On the Fringe, Nicola McCarthy of the Waterford/Wexford Education and Training Board, said there are a few objectives:

1. To promote an understanding of the importance of books and reading for early language development of children from birth.

2. To support families to understand the value of reading for social, emotional and cognitive development of their children.

3. To contribute to the development of a reading culture in families across Waterford.

What is the second strand?

Strand 2 uses a targeted approach to provide a literacy support programme for parents in their local communities: Strand 2 Programmes were run in six locations in a variety of community settings across Waterford City and County. 36 parents and 33 children participated.

Nicola explains to me what's involved in these sessions, which run over an eight week period.

She outlined to me that many people don't realise that it's important to start reading to babies from when they're as young as nine months old, as that encouragment can instil a love of books into children from then on.

If you're interested in educational interviews, have a listen to this piece "On the Fringe" about the Bróga Nua series of books.

And below is a link to my chat with Nicola:

https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/nicola-mccarthy-explains-the-snuggle-stories-initiative