Reach Out and Read

Reach Out and Read prepares young children for school success by partnering with pediatricians who distribute books and encourage families to read together.

 

Community Impact

  • 48,826 books were distributed at well-child checkups by 85 practitioners at 38 clinics.

Testimonials

Dr. Joane Cadet gives a patient a book he can take with him to enjoy and read at home.

Reach Out and Read partners with pediatric primary care providers to promote shared reading during well visits: at each well-child visit through age five, a Reach Out and Read-trained clinician discusses the importance of reading aloud together, shares practical tips to promote early literacy and healthy relationships, and offers the child a new book for their home library.
“I incorporate Reach out and Read when I talk about language development, school readiness and limiting screen time. Most of the families I encounter are surprised to hear that reading a book together is better for language development than an educational television program or video on the phone. It is great to have a book to give to families while I discuss these important topics because it gives the parents immediate access to an example of something they can do with their children. The kids always get so excited when I hand them a book and the parents get to see their child’s reaction right away. Almost every child exchanges the tablet they’re holding for the book! The other wonderful thing about Reach out and Read is the diversity and inclusion displayed in the books. Our patients get to see themselves in the characters in the book and parents can read to their children in their native languages. This definitely helps build their self-esteem!”
– Dr. Joane Cadet, FoundCare