Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Toolkit for ParentsREADING TIPS
Building Good Reading Habits
Begin reading to your child immediately. It may seem silly to read to very young children, but it will help you bond with your child and establish an important foundation for future learning. The earlier you start, the better the results! Learn more by clicking the age-specific reading tips, provided by CMS and Read Charlotte.
Birth to 2 Years
Ages 2 – 3 Years
Ages 3 – 5 Years
KINDERGARTEN READINESS
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Helps with Kindergarten Readiness
Children who are read to early in life are better prepared for school. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been shown to significantly increase the time parents and caregivers spend reading to their children each week. Learn more about preparing your child for kindergarten by selecting a reading tip.
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Prevent and Protect Against COVID-19: The Latest Child Care Related News
Scientific research shows that preventative measures such as hand washing and wearing cloth coverings over the nose and mouth are effective ways to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities by lowering the risk of exposure to COVID-19. That’s why on...
Grant Impact Stories | Innovations in Early Childhood
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is known for its allocation of state, county, and private funds to local early childhood serving agencies. In order to increase impact and innovation, in the spring of 2021, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County granted over $115,000 in...
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Opens Little Libraries in Eleven Charlotte Locations
Amid the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Mecklenburg County has continued to mail children enrolled in the Charlotte area a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book to their house each and every month. The...
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Did you know that one in three children in the United States is overweight or obese? Being overweight or obese can put kids at risk later in life for diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers. It’s not too late for the child in your life, though! We want to give you the information you need to help keep your family healthy. Here are a few ideas for the entire family getting started on the road to better health.
Early Registration for National Smart Start Conference is Open
Get your tickets to the 2019 National Smart Start Conference. Registration for the nation’s largest conference devoted to early education systems and strategies is now open.This conference provides advanced professional development for early education leaders...
Stabilization Grant Applications for Child Care Programs are Now Open!
We are excited to share that the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) has announced that the application for child care stabilization grants is now open! All licensed child care programs, including private for- or not-for-profit community-based...
Join Us in Celebration | International Day of Charity
We invite you to join us in the observation of the International Day of Charity on September 5. This special day is dedicated to recognizing the positive impact that organizations have on local communities, and Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is proud to take part....
Jake House, CEO, Discusses Innovations for Children with Special Health Care Needs | Spectrum News
In Mecklenburg County, an estimated 7,000 to 12,000 children under the age of 5 are at increased risk for a chronic, physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition that requires care or services beyond that generally required by children. A myriad of...