Pediatricians who work with low income families at 25 medical clinics in Palm Beach County are giving more than immunizations at well child check-ups. Through the Reach Out and Read program, they advise parents about the importance of reading aloud to their young children. They also give the child, from six months through five years of age, a developmentally and culturally appropriate book to take home. In this way, the family can easily fill the “Prescription for Reading” that is critical to the child’s healthy development. In 2007, medical providers at the 25 health care sites distributed 40,900 books to families.
National medical research has demonstrated that Reach Out and Read is an evidence based intervention of proven effectiveness. Studies published over the past 10 years show that when pediatricians promote literacy, provide guidance about the importance of reading to young children, and give an age-appropriate book for the child to take home, parents have a more positive attitude toward reading to their children and read to their children more often. In addition, several studies have shown a link between Reach Out and Read and improved child language skills. As preschool language ability is one of the most important predictors of later reading success, Reach Out and Read helps children enter school ready to learn.
