What is Reach Out and Read?
Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a health provider based early literacy program developed at Boston City Hospital in 1989, by pediatricians and educators to encourage literacy development in young patients.
The three key components of ROR are:
Doctors have always gone beyond treating illness to trying to prevent problems, including injuries and poor nutrition. Promoting literacy is an important and natural step in the evolution of preventative pediatrics and ROR is rewarding to clinicians! Giving books to children is rewarding because the children are pleased and the books are helpful. Having a trusted physician give the book seems to be important to the parents. It validates their aspirations for the child to be a learner, to do well in school and in life.
A 1985 National Commission of Reading study reported that reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for literacy development and eventual reading success. Studies have shown children who are read to from an early age are more successful at learning to read.
A peer-reviewed published study of this intervention showed parents involved in ROR were four times more likely to read or “book share” with children. The most high-risk mothers, those on government assistance, were eight times more likely to read to their children if their doctors were following the ROR model.
The primary goal of provider training is to help physicians learn techniques to work effectively with parents and children around issues of books and literacy. A one time training session (which can be via videotape, DDN network, or an in-person training session) will address such issues as:
High quality children’s books are the heart of the Reach Out and Read program. Books should be new, appealing, and selected to be developmentally and culturally appropriate. Careful thought needs to be given to book selection. The books recommended by ROR are selected based on experience, feedback and input from parents, experts in children’s literature and children’s book publishers.
The Department's Division of Child Care Services coordinates the efforts to offer this program statewide. For more information about the Reach Out and Read Program, please contact Child Care Services or call us at 1-800-227-3020 or 605-773-4766.