How KP Supports Pediatric Literacy

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a national pediatric literacy program dedicated to making literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care, so that children grow up with books and a love of reading. Research shows that the ROR program improves children’s home environments and developmental outcomes. A growing body of published medical research indicates that when families participate in ROR:

1. Parents have more positive attitudes towards books and sharing of books with their children
2. Parents read to their children more often
3. Children show significant improvement in expressive language

The ROR pediatric literacy intervention recognizes parents as their child’s first and most important teacher and ROR provides parents with the tools and techniques they need to instill a love of reading in their young children.  The Reach Out and Read model has three components:

1. In the exam room, doctors and nurses talk about the importance of reading aloud to their young children and offer age appropriate tips
2. At each well-baby visit from 6 months to 5 years, children receive a new, developmentally and culturally appropriate book from their medical provider
3. When available, volunteers in the waiting room read aloud to children showing parents and children the joy of sharing books together

By building on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers, Reach Out and Read helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so that children enter school prepared for success in reading. Your donation will go solely for the purchase of books and ROR related materials for our 72 Kaiser Permanente ROR pediatric clinics (two more to be added in 2008) and the ROR programs of our Community Clinic Partners in Southern California.