Pinellas organization works with local libraries to support early childhood learning

Source: TurboBabies.com

A local Pinellas organization is partnering with libraries across the county to provide development and learning resources to families. These “pit crew bags” are available for free at 14 Pinellas County libraries. 

Turbo Babies was created to foster early connections, nurture babies’ drive to learn and support parents. Recently, one of the resources they began offering are “pit crew bags.” A free bag with a book, a toy and teaching tips for parents. 

Elicia Hinson, the associate manager of marketing for Turbo Babies, says parents are a child’s first teacher. 

“80% of brain growth happens in the first three years of life, and so we want parents to know it’s a really crucial time for that baby’s learning and development,” said Hinson. “We want parents to have those connections with that child, so the child has a trusted caregiver. That makes such a big difference in how a child’s brain forms.”

Peggy Matthes, an assistant youth services librarian at the Barbara S Ponce Library, says these bags have been a huge help for parents. 

“For us, it kind of is a physical resource that we pass on to the parents and then the parents have something that they can kind of go through and get ideas from because everybody’s just like, oh, let’s have the babies, let’s start a family, but they don’t come with any instructions,” said Matthes. 

Where you can get a bag

Clearwater Main Library – 100 N Osceola Ave, Clearwater, FL 33755
Dunedin Public Library – 223 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698
East Lake Community Library – 4125 E Lake Rd S, Palm Harbor, FL 34685
Gulf Beaches Public Library – 200 Municipal Dr, Madeira Beach, FL 33708
Gulfport Public Library – 5501 28th Ave S, Gulfport, FL 33707
Largo Public Library – 120 Central Park Dr, Largo, FL 33771
Oldsmar Public Library – 400 St Petersburg Dr E, Oldsmar, FL 34677
Palm Harbor Public Library – 2330 Nebraska Ave, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Pinellas Park Barbara S. Ponce Library – 7770 52nd St N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Safety Harbor Public Library – 101 2nd St N, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Seminole Community Library – 9200 113th St N, Seminole, FL 33772
St. Petersburg President Barack Obama Main Library – 3745 9th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
St. Pete Beach Public Library – 365 73rd Ave, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
Tarpon Springs Public Library – 138 E Lemon Street, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

For more information on Turbo Babies, visit turbobabies.com.