Reach Out and READ
Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a national nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy in pediatric exam rooms across the nation. Reach Out and Read trains doctors and nurses to give new books to children at each checkup between 6 months and 5 years of age and to provide developmentally-appropriate advice to parents about reading aloud with their child. The Reach Out and Read model is based on research showing a strong connection between the frequency of sharing books with babies, toddlers, and young children and enhanced language development.
In Springfield, Reach Out and Read serves almost 10,000 children a year through 11 medical practices. These practices include: Baystate Mason Square, Baystate Pediatric Group, Brightwood Health Center, Caring Health Center, High Street Health Center, Pediatric Care Associates, Riverbend Medical Group, Shriners Hospital for Children, Springfield Medical Associates, Stafford Pediatrics, and Sumner Pediatrics. Under the leadership of ROR Physician Champion Dr. Nancy Miller of Baystate Children's Hospital, ROR is hoping to make Springfield a "Bookend City" by encouraging all pediatric primary care practices in the city to offer Reach Out and Read to their patients.
Anyone wishing more information about Reach Out and Read is encouraged to visit the website at www.reachoutandread.org or contact Lee MacKinnon, Western Massachusetts Regional Coordinator, at lee.mackinnon@reachoutandread.org or 413-244-2713.
