Support Literacy

Reading with children can make a profound difference in their lives.

When you read with a child, you:
*help develop listening and attention skills;
*introduce new words and ideas;
*spark the imagination; and
*promote school readiness.

Reading with children enriches growing minds. And it's a lot of fun!

It is never too early to start reading. Even young babies can enjoy sitting in a parent or caregiver's lap and hearing the rhythmic words and sounds of books, even when they don't yet understand what the words mean.

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a program that promotes early literacy by bringing new books and information about the importance of reading into pediatric exam rooms throughout the country. Health care providers give new books to children at each well child visit from 6 months to 5 years of age, as well as information for parents about how to promote language development and early literacy by reading aloud with their child.

There are a number of ways families can support the Reach Out and Read program. Donations, volunteers and community advocates are needed to help this program grow. Reach Out and Read is affiliated with the Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Make a difference in the lives of children and promote early literacy.
Visit www.reachoutandread.org

Copyright 2004 News For Parents.org