Home > Family & Home > Family > . Why is Literacy Important? [Image: Reading to baby] This article describes the importance of reading to your baby and child. Collaboration with the Junior League of Baton Rouge [Image: Junior League of Baton Rouge] The LSU AgCenter will be partnering with the Junior League of Baton Rouge for the 2009-2010 year to educate and motivate new parents in their role as their baby’s first and most important teacher. Manage post-hurricane stress (Distributed 09/07/08) You probably can’t avoid the stress coming in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, but you can manage it, says LSU AgCenter family and consumer sciences specialist Becky White. Prepare an evacuation to-go kit for your child (Distributed 08/29/08) Adults are urged to assemble a “grab-and-go” box of important papers in case of a hurricane evacuation. How about making a “to-go kit” for your child? Assembling a few treasured items can help your child in times of disaster, according to LSU AgCenter family development professor Dr. Rebecca White.  more articles... Love: Vital to a Healthy Life Children need it desperately. Adults long for it. And during February, we celebrate it – love. It has been the inspiration for countless poems, songs and movies, and it is vital to healthy development and well-being. The Little Bookshelf Program [Image: Little Bookshelf Logo] The Little Bookshelf Program is designed to help parents foster a love of reading in their child from birth. Reading to Your Baby [Image: Fact Sheet #1 baby's first month] 12 monthly fact sheets about reading to your baby during the first year of life. Each fact sheet shares the importance of reading to your baby as he/she develops. Collaboration with Junior League [Image: chancellor] Junior League volunteers are working with us on the Little Bookshelf Project. Helping us assemble, get the word out through PSA's and much much more! Malnutrition Impairs U.S. Children’s Health, Behavior Some 13 million children in the United States live in homes with limited access to a sufficient food supply. A new generation of research demonstrates a direct link between inadequate food supply and a poorer overall health status among U.S. children, according to LSU AgCenter food and nutrition expert Dr. Annrose Guarino. Critters Order Form [Image: Character Critters Order Form] Order your Character Critters materials through the LSU AgCenter store using a credit card or electronic check by clicking on the "order publication" link below. You can also print a copy of the order form for mail orders. Character Critters Story Book [Image: character critters] 6"x9", 32 pages, full color. Cost: $7 plus tax (shipping included). You can order this book through our online store, by using the Order Publication link below. Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards accepted. Character Critters Posters - Kit #1 [Image: character critters] 11"x17", full color, 30 double-sided durable posters and implementation guide. Cost: $40 plus tax (shipping included). You can order this kit through our online store, by using the Order Publication link below. Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards accepted. Program Materials [Image: Program Materials] Use this link to access the following Character Critter materials all at once: Bookmarks, Hand Puppets, Masks, and Hat patterns. Character Critter Face Masks and Hats [Image: Hats] Create fun masks and hats to wear featuring your favorite Character Critters. Click for more information...