The Michigan State University HealthTeam Pediatric Primary Care Clinic waiting room received a literacy-oriented makeover through a partnership with Reach Out and Read Michigan, an early childhood literacy program, and the Michigan Education Association.
The makeover includes Dr. Seuss murals, bean bag chairs, and a reading station that makes for a unique and comfortable setting for patients. Every child who visits the clinic will now be able to take home a gently used book of their choice.
Developed in 1989 by pediatricians and early childhood educators, Reach Out and Read makes literacy promotion a part of regular pediatric checkups. Participating doctors provide age-appropriate books to children up to five years old and literacy information to parents.
“Today, 34 percent of American children enter kindergarten without the basic language skills they need to learn to read, while children living in poverty are at an even greater risk,” said Susan Schmidt, an educator and Reach Out and Read Michigan board member.
“Research clearly demonstrates that parents served by the program are four times more likely to read to their children. Additionally, children served by the program score significantly higher on vocabulary and school readiness tests. This increase represents a six-month developmental gain for children in their preschool years alone.”
The program also serves to assist physicians in evaluating children’s developmental progress, parental instincts and the relationship between the child and parent, said Dr. Ashweena Gonuguntla, assistant professor of pediatrics and human development.
“Not only do I get to provide parents with literacy information and model how to read to their child but my appointments go much smoother and I’m able to gather information about the child’s cognitive and motor skills development,” said Gonuguntla.
Reach Out and Read is the country’s leading pediatric literacy program, serving over 2.5 million children in all 50 states. In Michigan, over 140,000 books are distributed annually to 93,000 children at over 100 sites.