Why We Do What We Do - No. 1

The Gift of Books:  Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Child by Child

In honor of National Reach Out and Read Literacy Week (May 2-8), pediatricians and nurse practitioners, both nationally and locally, will celebrate by working to promote early literacy through participation in the Reach Out and Read Program (ROR).  For the past ten years, several local pediatric practices have partnered with the Early Learning Partnership of York County to bring the ROR program to our community.  We value the opportunity to discuss the importance of family literacy at every well child visit by providing patients ages 6 months through 5 years with an age-appropriate book and discussing the importance of making reading a major part of every child’s daily routine. 

Many studies have shown that children who develop a love for books and reading early are more successful in school, have higher graduation rates, and are ultimately more successful in the work place.

In contrast, children who have not routinely snuggled with a caregiver to share a good book often come to the first day of kindergarten poorly prepared to learn to read.  These children start school a step behind their peers, and it’s very difficult for them to catch up.  Children who aren’t taught about the joys of reading in the early years are at increased risk for absenteeism, dropping out, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy.

Grabbing a book and reading to a child is easy for many parents, but for many others, children’s books are a luxury and not easily accessible.  Today in America, there are more than 11 million children aged 5 and under who are living in poverty.  Through programs like ROAR or the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (also supported locally by the Early Learning Partnership of York County), low income families can begin to surround these children with a wealth of information in the form of books. 

Reach out and Read works in part because the medical profession has early and unparalleled access to families.  Together, through ROR, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and family doctors can help break the cycle of poverty by prescribing books and empowering parents to read with their young children, thus ensuring that every child arrives at school ready to read and ready to learn. 

The ROR program has added a whole new level of care to my pediatric practice. I use books both as a diagnostic tool to measure development and parent-child interactions and as a safe, effective therapeutic intervention for childhood problems at any age.  Yesterday, for example, I gave a board book to a wide-eyed 15 month old.  She took it gratefully, turned it right side up, carefully turned a few pages and pointed at some of the pictures, showing them to her mother and babbling eloquently in toddler-ease.  Then she carried it over to share with her great grandmother who was sitting quietly in the corner.  In fifteen seconds, I was able to begin to evaluate this toddler’s language, social, fine, and gross motor skills and to observe that her developmental abilities were generally on track.  It was clear that she had been raised with books and was well on her way to school success in later years.

Books are the closest thing to a panacea the pediatric world has ever seen.  Take any common childhood challenge, and a recommendation to read with the child is part of a successful solution.  Examples might include:  

Language delays in a toddler?  Read with your child.

Explosive tantrums in a two year old?  Withdraw attention temporarily, then when he calms down and is cooperative, find a favorite book and read with your child.

Bedtime struggles and sleep disorders?  Establish a consistent bedtime routine which must always include reading with your child.

Lice?  After applying special shampoo, have your child read to you as you comb out the little critters.

Rebellious, anxious, or uncommunicative teenager?  Find a book to share together or just share a few minutes before bedtime reading together silently.

Home from school with a fever?   Read to him.  School age child with learning problems?  Have her read to you.  Long car trip to visit relatives with carsick children? Expand your child’s vocabulary with an audiobook and the hours will magically zip by.

Let’s all join together to make school readiness a reality for ALL children in South Carolina.   Read with your children anytime, anywhere.  If you don’t currently have a child at home, consider donating some time routinely to read with a child at school or the Children’s Attention Home.  Support a Reach Out and Read program in your community or make a donation to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.  Donations in support of these programs may be sent to: