Reach Out and Read

Reach Out and Read (ROR), was developed at Boston City Hospital in 1989 by a collaboration of Pediatricians and early childhood educators.  ROR is a program that makes early literacy part of pediatric primary care.  Pediatricians encourage parents to read aloud to their young children and give their patients books to take home at all pediatric check-ups from six months to five years of age.

Through Reach Out and Read every child starts school with a home library of at least ten children's bookes, and parents reading aloud is the the most important thing they can do to help their children learn to love bookes and to start school ready to learn.  Parents who may have difficulty reading are encouragaed to invent their own stories to go with picture books and spend time naming objects with their children.  At many pediatric clinics volunteer readers are in the waiting rooms reading to children as they wait for their appointments showing parents and children the pleasures and techniques of looking at books with children.

Genesee County Medical Society Alliance, has been a strong supporter of the Reach Out and Read program and have provided funding for the purchase and distribution of books to pedicatric clinics in the area.  Gently used books are also donated by Alliance members and placed in area schools and community organizations.

Members are asked to bring the books to the GCMS office where they are carefully previewed prior to distribution.

Mary Lou Mathias  RN;BS;MA

Health Promotion Chairman-GCMS Alliance