Beaches Negril, in collaboration with the Blossoming Minds childcare facility in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, has assumed the mandate of exposing early childhood learners to the love of literature.

This recent initiative was undertaken in recognition of the Ministry of Education’s ‘Read Across The Parish’ advisory for the month of June.

Eager team members from the family-focused Beaches Negril connected with enthusiastic children through print-rich pages and exuberant enactments of beloved tales.

“Being able to impact children in such a significant way is truly an honour,” said Kimberlee Williams, animations supervisor at Beaches Negril.

“Reading really plays a fundamental role in shaping young minds and I’m grateful to be a part of something so meaningful,” added Williams.

Eighteen students benefited from the team’s engagement. With ages ranging from six months to three years old, the attentive beginners were immersed in the afternoon’s activities.

The facility’s childcare attendants were also excited with the merging of education and entertainment on exhibition.

“I have no doubt that our students learnt a lot as a result of the interactions today,” said principal of Blossoming Minds, Sharon Burte.

“The Beaches Negril team did an incredible job and I immediately gathered that they had a real passion for children,” added Burte.

Her sentiments were echoed by the facility’s staff as well as by Beaches Negril’s Environment, Health and Safety Manager Nicolette Manahan-Buchanan, who was also invested in the success of the initiative.

Manahan-Buchanan further reflected on the day’s happenings while advocating for more structured programmes at the early childhood level that nurture a sustained interest in the world of the written word.

“Reading helps children to develop beautiful imaginations. A child who can read, and who does it often, I think, has a clear advantage in life and we definitely need more opportunities like this for our children,” argued Manahan-Buchanan.

She added that Beaches Negril is devoted to maintaining a visible presence in its neighbouring communities, particularly in spheres where the desire to positively shape impressionable minds can be satisfied.