Joshua James Joplin, son of Emily and Scott Joplin, was born at 6:39 p.m. Wednesday and received a special gift and welcome Thursday afternoon — a handmade bunny. His parents also received a gift — a book “Read to Your Bunny” by Rosemary Wells that encourages parents to read to their new family member for at least 20 minutes a day.
The welcome kit, which includes the book, a packet of information on the importance of reading to the child at least 20 minutes a day and a handmade bunny are being given to each new parent at Newman Regional Health. The project is spearheaded by Janice Romeiser and Eleanor Browning, who represent the Emporia National Education Association.
“We believe, as Rosemary does, that if a parent reads to the child for a minimum of 20 minutes a day, that there would be less reading difficulties ahead for a child,” Browning said.
In Wells’ Web site, www.rosemarywells.com, Wells quotes reading time as the most important 20 minutes of the day.
“...the most important in the first years of life is the growth of the mind and spirit,” the Web site states. “This is when a child learns to love and trust, to speak and listen.”
All the materials provided to the parents are researched-based, Romeiser and Browning said. The book is bright and colorful and states the many benefits children will get from their parents reading to them.
“It’s just the best little (book),” Romeiser said.
Through an $1,800 grant from the Emporia Community Foundation, Romeiser and Browning are able to bring Wells’ book to Emporia and put it in the hands of new parents. The grant covers the purchase of about 600 books from Town Crier, which are available in both English and Spanish; 600 copies of the Emporia Public Library application for a library card; 600 magnets that the parents sign promising to read to their babies, and 600 zippered bags for the items in the packet.
Other items in the packet include a 30 percent off coupon from Town Crier and a “Welcome to the World” note from Emporia NEA.
The bunnies are being made out of donated material and sewn by members of the Flint Hills Regional Quilt Guild. The bunnies come in all colors and materials and the parents get to choose the bunny they like the best.
On the way to the Joplins’ room, Romeiser and Browning toted an entire wicker basket full of bunnies.
“The bunnies came about as a little of an afterthought,” Romeiser said. “We thought ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the babies got a keepsake bunny?’”
Joshua’s parents have been married for 10 years, and he is their first child. They said they like the idea of the program.
“I think it’s gonna be great,” said Emily Joplin, who teaches at Timmerman Elementary School. “I think it’ll help (new parents) know they should be reading to their child even though they are newborn.”
“It will get them started early,” Scott Joplin, who works at Vektek, said.
The grant funding for the “Read to Your Bunny” project only covers the first year of the project. Browning said they are looking for funding to continue the project next year.
F Anyone wishing to help fund the project, volunteer to make bunnies or have questions can call Browning at 342-3750 or (620) 794-3708; or Romeiser at 344-0338.