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ACHR Becomes ROR Literacy Site—July 1, 2008
Reach Out and Read (ROR), a national, evidence-based program, makes literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric care, so that children grow up with books and a love of reading. Children routinely see their doctor for "well-child" visits ten times between the ages of six months through five years. During these visits, doctors and nurses are trained to provide advice and guidance to parents about the importance of reading and reading aloud to their child, in addition to providing new, developmentally and age appropriate books to the child. 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.
A full prescription of ROR at well-child visits gives children 10 new books; in a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, almost one in four low-income homes with children have less than 10 books of any kind. Research shows that being read to early and often creates a strong foundation for later learning and ultimate success in school. By integrating literacy into standard well-child pediatric visits, pediatricians promote the acquisition of spoken and written language skills in young children. Children participating in ROR score an average of four to eight points higher on standardized vocabulary tests than those not participating in the program. The ROR model facilitates this important development activity.
Reach Out and Read Ohio is a collaborative program of National Reach Out and Read, the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Ohio AAP Foundation.
For more information, contact Tammy Bellis, Care Management Coordinator, at 330-724-5471 ext 252.
