A new program being launched at Ochsner American Legion Hospital is encouraging parents to read to newborns and toddlers to support brain development, help develop early literacy skills and foster a love of reading.

Brain Bags, which officially kicked off with the arrival of the first baby of the new year, is an educational tool kit to help develop a child’s brain from birth to pre-kindergarten, according to OALH Director of Philanthropy Mindy Hetzel.

“The whole philosophy behind the Brain Bag is we understand and realize the importance of early brain development and we want to become a leader in the community of promoting early brain development, parent engagement and kindergarten readiness,” Hetzel said.

“You ask yourself where do you start? Nobody has the answer for that, but we feel like this is a great place to begin in providing the parents with the tools they need to help these children grow intellectually.”

All babies born at Ochsner American Legion Hospital will receive a free Brain Bag backpack full of resources for brain development and early literacy skills before going home.

Each backpack contains a copy of “Antoine and Friends Go to France,” a storybook created by local author Celia Joe Black with illustrations by Jessica Inez Trahan, which features local attractions; “Baby Steps,” a milestone book to help parents stay on track on their child’s development and community resource information to help parents, including information on local libraries and tips for talking to babies. A keychain child proof rattle from Bubba Oustalet Automotive is also included to help stimulate a child’s brain.

Future additions to the bags will include a “Safe Sleep” book and information from neighboring libraries.

Parents are also encouraged to sign up for Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library,” which provides free books to children from birth until age 5.

While newborns can’t read or hold a book, there are benefits when parents interact and read to their children, Hetzel said.

“Research has shown that the more words a child hears by the age of 3, the more likely that are to have the language skills needed to succeed in school,” she said.”And if you build their brain, you are going to build their life and in turn you are going to build your community.”

“Our hopes are to help navigate the mother through the process prior to delivery to the importance of development and being engaged with the child.”

A navigator with the OB clinic will introduce the concept of the Brain Bag prior to delivery and the mother will have the opportunity to view the four-minute video.

After each delivery Hetzel or a clinical staff member will go into the patient’s room to introduce the program to both parents.

Based on her personal experience, the response from parents has been positive, Hetzel said.

“They are asking really good questions,” she said.

Hetzel estimates the cost of each bag at $30, which she considers a “small investment for the future of the community.”

The program was launched with generous donations from sponsors and donors, including the Jennings American Legion Hospital Foundation and Zigler Foundations .

About 600 backpacks are expected to be handed out the first year.