Nicole Coker says much of the August day on which her son Levi Coker was born, a little over four years ago at Aiken Regional Medical Centers, remains a blur. One of the things she does remember is that she and her son were visited by representatives of Aiken County Public Schools who gave them a bag filled with a number of items including a small toy and a new book.
“It was a crazy day,” Coker said. “I remember that little book and I know we still have it.”
Levi, now 4, currently attends J.D. Lever Elementary School in the 4K program.
The individuals who had visited the Coker family were retired Aiken County educators, and volunteers with the school district’s new Baby’s First Teacher Early Learning Initiative. The initiative was designed both to welcome new families to Aiken County Public Schools and impart upon new mothers their importance as their baby’s first teacher.
The Early Learning Bag also contains information on the importance of reading to newborns and small children ahead of school, as well as resources for families to utilize in educating their children at home. These resources also help families to better understand and look for milestone moments in the growth of their babies.
The initiative represents a partnership between Aiken County Public Schools, Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Aiken County First Steps, The Aiken County Education Association (Retired), Public Education Partners, and the Cheer for Children Reading Library.
“It’s something that’s really nice for new mothers and their children,” Coker added.
The Baby’s First Teacher Early Learning Initiative has delivered over 3,500 Early Learning Bags to new mothers in Aiken County since 2016.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: PR 2020 BABYS FIRST TEACHER TURNS FOUR