Reach Out and Read
Since 2019 our clinic has participated in the Reach Out and Read program. At each well-child checkup for children from infancy through age 5, our clinicians offer advice to caregivers about early relationships and literacy and give children a new book to take home to build their home libraries.
Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based program proven to show results for children and families and improve the quality of health care. Findings show that when families receive Reach Out and Read, parents are two and a half times more likely to read to their children, and children’s language development is improved by three to six months. Research also links Reach Out and Read to improvements in children’s social-emotional development and decreases in parental stress. Clinicians have improved relationships with families and improved clinic culture and commitment to local communities. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends ROR as an essential component of pediatric care and a strategy to buffer toxic stress.
How Reach Out and Read works
- Children and families visit their medical clinic for a 0 through 5-year well-child checkup.
- Reach Out and Read-trained clinician introduces a new, age-appropriate book to the child and uses it to assess child development.
- Clinician shares how daily interactions like book sharing contributes to brain development and strengthens relationships, explains what to expect for the child’s next developmental stage, models age-appropriate book engagement, learns about family routines and addresses questions families may have.
- Family goes home empowered to support their child’s next developmental stages by reading, learning, and bonding together.
- Process repeats at future well-child checkup through age 5.
