Princess Laurentien Unveils ‘Treasures of Heerlen’
In the Netherlands, one in four children starts out with a language delay. This is often difficult to catch up on later. Reading aloud helps with language development. That is why all parents receive a free new storybook about the history of Heerlen during their first visit to the child health clinic. The book is called Treasures of Heerlen. It is part of the Taalrijke Start program. This is an initiative of the 16 municipalities in South Limburg. Together, they aim to prevent language delays in young children (ages 0–4).
Princess Laurentien has been working for years to promote better language development in children. On March 13, she presented the first copy to Alderman (Youth).
Alderman :
“Every child deserves a fair start. Language plays a crucial role in this. Reading, talking, and playing together at a young age gives children a head start that will benefit them throughout their lives. With ‘Schatten van Heerlen,’ we’re not only bringing stories into homes, but also our own history. In this way, we’re helping both parents and children on their way to a future rich in language.”
Start as early as possible
Talking, singing, and playing are important for a child’s language development. The foundation for language is laid during the first 1,000 days. It all starts with attention, talking, and language. It is precisely during this early period that 80% of the connections in the brain are formed. Nearly half of parents are unaware of this.
Strong Together for a Language-Rich Start
Taalrijke Start is an initiative of all municipalities in South Limburg, the local libraries, GGD Zuid-Limburg, Trendbreuk, the Province of Limburg, the Parkstad Urban Region, CZ, and Taalschatten. They are working together toward a single clear mission: to ensure that all children are well-prepared when they start elementary school.