Since 1989, Reach Out and Read (ROR) has been making literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric care so that children grow up with books and a love of reading. Serving over 46,000 children in Utah annually, Reach Out and Read Utah trains doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud and to give books to children at pediatric check–ups from six months to five years of age. A special focus is placed on children growing up in poverty. By building on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers, Reach Out and Read helps families and communities cultivate early literacy skills so that children enter school prepared to succeed at reading.
What parents have to say about ROR:
· “My children enjoy this program a lot and they love the reading.”
· “My wife is now dedicated to always taking time to read with the children.”
· “Thank you for the opportunity for our children to own their own books.”
· “Every book you give our children is a treasure for them.”
What doctors are saying about ROR:
· Thank you for giving me a perfect tool to assess development and to make well child care more fun!” -- A pediatrician
· “ROR livens up my well child exam. I get to bring something special to the child/family and we get to talk about it”. -- A family medicine physician
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