The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed today, June 8, as Talk, Read, Sing Day in support of First 5 San Diego, the County’s organization that promotes the health and well-being of young children during their most critical years of development – birth through five years.
Shana Hazan, First 5 California Commissioner and Alethea Arguilez, Executive Director of First 5 San Diego 
Alethea Arguilez, Executive Director of First 5 San Diego; Chair Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the First 5 San Diego Commission; Shana Hazan, First 5 California Commissioner and Vice Chair Nora Vargas
“Talk, Read, Sing has always been an important initiative for us because it offers parents and caregivers very simple actions that make a big difference in brain development and set children up with the building blocks for success,” said Alethea Arguilez, Executive Director of First 5 San Diego. “Summer is a great time to reinforce talking, reading and singing as schools close but children need to continue learning. We are grateful the County of San Diego is recognizing a yearly day for this vital initiative that supports the children of our future.”
Research has found that providing children zero through five with consistent, language-rich experiences – such as talking, reading and singing – can have significant benefits that help them thrive and become successful as they grow and begin reading and writing. The First 5 San Diego programs and resources are designed to educate and support teachers, parents and caregivers in their critical role during a child’s first five years to help them receive the best possible start in life.
“Children deserve the best start in life possible. The First 5 Commission of San Diego’s Talk, Read, Sing campaign gives underserved women and caregivers the resources and guidance needed to shape the lives of their kids early-on,” said Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the First 5 San Diego Commission. “This is a terrific program and I encourage all San Diegans with small children to give it a try to ensure their littles ones thrive for years-to-come.”
This summer, parents, caregivers and kids can get involved in a variety of ways.
- Visit the First 5 San Diego Talk, Read, Sing website and take the Talk, Read, Sing Pledge to receive a free Kit for New Parents, a free parenting resource that includes advice and useful tips.
- Today, San Diego County Library launches the Summer Learning Challenge. Participate virtually at sdcl.org or by picking up a free activity book, available at all 33 branch locations to children, teens and adults until August 31. Participants will have access to activities focused on early literacy from contributors like First 5 San Diego, Comic-Con Museum, New Children’s Museum and organizations from all over the County.
- Participate in First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s Summer Book Club – a new 10-week initiative to promote children’s literacy that features books that teach kids important social and emotional learning tools and highlight key values like diversity, self-love and acceptance.
“Talking, reading and singing to babies and young children makes a tremendous difference when it comes to their future learning,” said Shana Hazan, First 5 California Commissioner. “These simple activities allow parents and caregivers to develop strong bonds with their little ones and build their social and emotional well-being.”
Talk, Read, Sing Day will be celebrated on June 8th each year to emphasize the importance of communicating with your child by talking, reading and singing to them every day to encourage language and brain development. For more information visit, www.first5sandiego.org/parent-portal/talk-read-sing