ESCANABA — The Delta-Schoolcraft Great Start Collaborative has joined the national Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing public awareness campaign. To celebrate, the Delta County Great Start Parent Coalition will be giving away a limited amount of free books to kids 0-8 years old at Elmer’s County Market at 412 N Lincoln Rd, Escanaba where Talking is Teaching materials have been installed Thursday, July 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Talking is Teaching empowers parents and caregivers with fun, easy ways to improve their child’s learning and development. Simple prompts in community messaging encourage parents to keep talking, singing and reading with their little ones. The more words through loving conversations a child hears the more their brain grows which sets them up for success in school and in life. Talking is Teaching turns small moments into big learning opportunities

Look for Talking is Teaching materials popping up in the U.P. including: Grocery Adventures at Elmer’s County Market in Escanaba and Pat’s Foods in Gladstone, Let’s Talk About Music equipment at Van Cleve Park in Gladstone and The Pines Park in Manistique, Animal Tracks Scavenger Hunt at Harbor Hideout in Ludington Park, reading nook at Glo Tanning and Laundromat, Escanaba and soon a permanent Storywalk in the newly renovated Escanaba Public Library garden and at St. Francis Catholic School in Manistique/

Great Start is a state initiative which works to provide parents with the early childhood development resources they need to prepare their children for success in school, and life. Visit its website at: www.Great-Start.org or like us on Facebook – Delta County Great Start Parent Coalition, to learn about more community events and early childhood resources.