NORTHUMBERLAND - More than 35 parents and guests of the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit's (CSIU) early childhood education programs shouted "Bingo!" and chose children's books as prizes in a literacy celebration event held at the Townside Too in Northumberland. Each player took home 10 to 15 books, with more than 300 books distributed.
"Book Bingo is a way to celebrate and support literacy," said Patty Edwards, CSIU Head Start programs manager.
Parents from the following CSIU programs were invited to participate in the Book Bingo:
- Northumberland Area Early Head Start, Stonington.
- Northumberland Area Head Start, with locations in Herndon, Milton, Mount Carmel, Shamokin, Sunbury and Turbotville.
- Pre-K Counts, with programs in Line Mountain, Shikellamy and Milton Area school districts.
Early Head Start is a comprehensive program for expectant mothers, infants and toddlers (from birth to 36 months). The program offers education, nutrition, health, social and mental health services, and emphasizes parent involvement. Head Start and Pre-K Counts promote school readiness for kids ages three to five and emphasize parents as their child's first teacher.
Head Start and Early Head Start are federal grants awarded to the CSIU to conduct programs in Northumberland County. Pre-K Counts is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is administered by the CSIU.
These early childhood education programs are available at no cost to parents. For more information, call 523-1155, extension 2240.
