Boekstart – Book Start

Since 2005, Iedereen Leest is coordinating the Boekstart programme, which stimulates young parents to enjoy reading (aloud) books with their young children. Books are introduced in all families with young children in Flanders and Brussels, in collaboration with child-care centres, libraries and other local partners. When parents take their six-month old to the Kind & Gezin health centre, they receive their first Boekstart pack with a book and information about reading aloud to your children and the library. At fifteen months, they are sent an invitation to collect their second Boekstart pack from the local library. 

Boekstart also wants to increase expertise in interactive reading and a stimulating language and reading environment for babies and toddlers among professionals and volunteers in organisations working for and with children. Boekstart runs in various countries – Iedereen Leest is thus a member of the Global Network for Early Years Bookgifting.