On April 23, 2025, the Neonatology Unit of Hospital del Mar launched an innovative initiative aimed at stimulating language development in newborns through reading. This proposal allows parents to read books to their children, serving not only as a tool to prevent language delay, a problem often associated with prematurity, but also as a means to strengthen the family bond in a emotionally challenging time.
Dr. Maria Ángeles López Vílchez, head of the Pediatrics Department, emphasized the relevance of this practice. “One of the possible effects related to prematurity is language delay,” she emphasized, adding that “early intervention can bring many benefits.” Reading is positioned, according to specialists, as a key strategy not only in physical recovery, but also in the emotional and cognitive development of these young patients.
This initiative has been made possible thanks to collaboration with the Barceloneta-La Fraternitat Library, which has donated a wide selection of children’s books and poetry in various languages, ensuring that all families have access to this valuable tool. The program is part of a broader effort to humanize care for the youngest patients and their families, creating a more welcoming and enriching environment.
Scientific studies support these actions, suggesting that reading to premature newborns and those with low birth weight not only stimulates language development, but also contributes to establishing important neuronal connections. Dr. Montserrat Fàbregas, head nurse of the Pediatrics Department, pointed out that “the essential source to help newborns develop language are their parents. Hearing their voice, especially the mother’s, is an effective strategy to improve the newborn’s health.”
In addition to its impact on cognitive development, this reading practice also strengthens the family bond, an aspect that can be crucial for the emotional well-being of everyone involved in this delicate moment. With this initiative, Hospital del Mar seeks not only to provide quality medical care, but also to promote comprehensive development in an environment that prioritizes love and family connection.
via: MiMub in Spanish