Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 April 2004 — Page 4

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY. APRIL 30, 2004

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Oulreach program gels doclors involved wilh children's lileracy

By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Writar Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a non-profit organization that promotes early literacy by bringing new books and advice about the importance of reading aloud into the pediatric examination room. The program trains doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud and to give books to children at pediatric check-ups from 6 months to 5 years of age. “Pediatricians are probably the only people with child development training and with this orientation who are looking at development, language and reaching all parents in the first years of a child’s life,” said Dr. Perri Klass, medical director and president of the Reach Out and Read National Center. ROR began as a collaboration between pediatricians and early childhood educators at Boston City Hospital, which is now Boston Medical Center, in 1989. “Reach Out and Read started as a simple solution to an obvious problem: waiting rooms without books,” said Robert Needlman, co-founder of ROR. “Reading aloud was important for young children, and pediatricians had a special opportunity to reach their parents.” There are more than 2,000 ROR programs in the U.S., including 45 in the state of Indiana. The goal is to increase the national number by 300 each year for the next five years. There is a challenge involved

with the program, however. Parents of children living in poverty sometimes lack the money to buy books. They might not have been read to as children also. In 2001,32 percent of fourth graders said they never or almost never read for fun outside of school, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. According to the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics, more than twothirds of Indiana fourth graders cannot read at a proficient level. These trends need to be reversed, and ROR is working to fix them. Studies have shown the effectiveness of reading. According to one report, parents given books and guidance were twice as likely to report reading aloud as a favorite activity between them and their children. ROR now serves 2 million children annually, distributing over 3 million books to parents and children. More than 24,000 pediatricians and nurses have been trained in the ROR strategies of early literacy. Their commitment to increasing literacy and developing children shows, and is best described in their mission. “Reach Out and Read makes literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care so that children grow up with books, and with a love of reading.”

Reading tips Parents can maha reading with thalr chHdran part af tlM daNv routine. Rsadinq together in tfw evening can become an Important part of the bad time ritual. Here are some addWonai suggestions for making readbtg together a pleasurable •xptntnct.

Make Reading Part of Every Day Read at bedtime or on the bus.

Have Fun

Children who love books leam to read. Books can be part of special time with your child. A Few Minutes Is OK Young children can only sit for a few minutes for a story, but as they grow, they will sR longer. Talk About the Pictures You do not have to read the book

to telt a story.

Let Your Child Turn the Pages Babies need board books and help to turn pages, but your 3-year-old can do it alone. Show Your Child the Cover Page Explain what the story Is about Show Your Child the Words Run your finger along the words

as you read them.

Make the Story Come Alive Create voices for the story characters and use your body to

tell the story.

Ask Questions About the Story What do think will happen next?

What is this?

Let Your Child Ask Questions About the Story Use the story as an opportunity to engage in conversation and to talk about familiar activities and

objects.

Let your Child Toll the Story

Children as young as 3 years old can memorize a story and many children love an opportunity to

express their creativity.

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