About Reach out and read carolinas
Reach Out and Read Carolinas: Promoting Early Childhood Literacy
Reach Out and Read Carolinas is a non-profit organization that aims to promote early childhood literacy by providing books to children from birth to age five. The organization believes that reading aloud with young children is one of the most important things parents can do to help their child's development.
The program was founded in 1989 by pediatricians Barry Zuckerman and Robert Needlman, who recognized the importance of early literacy in a child's development. Since then, Reach Out and Read has grown into a national program with over 5,000 participating clinics across the United States.
In North Carolina alone, Reach Out and Read serves over 100,000 children each year through partnerships with pediatric clinics. The program provides free books at well-child visits and encourages parents to read aloud with their children every day.
Why Early Literacy Matters
Research shows that reading aloud with young children has numerous benefits for their cognitive development. Children who are read to regularly have larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, better memory retention, and higher academic achievement than those who are not.
Reading also promotes bonding between parent and child. When parents read aloud with their children from an early age, they establish a positive association between reading and love. This can lead to a lifelong love of learning for the child.
How Reach Out And Read Works
Reach Out And Read works by partnering with pediatric clinics across North Carolina. At each well-child visit from six months old until five years old (a total of ten visits), doctors give out free books appropriate for the child's age level along with advice on how best to use them at home.
Parents are encouraged to read aloud daily as part of their regular routine – whether it be before bed or during playtime – as this helps build vocabulary skills while also promoting bonding between parent/caregiver & child!
The program also offers resources such as reading tips and book lists to help parents choose books that are appropriate for their child's age and interests.
Reach Out And Read Carolinas Impact
Reach Out And Read Carolinas has had a significant impact on early childhood literacy in North Carolina. The program has distributed over 1.5 million books to children across the state since its inception, helping to promote a love of reading and learning from an early age.
The program also helps to address the issue of book scarcity in low-income households. Many families cannot afford to purchase books for their children, which can lead to a lack of exposure to language-rich environments. Reach Out And Read provides free books at well-child visits, ensuring that all children have access to quality literature regardless of their family's income level.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Reach Out And Read Carolinas is an excellent organization that promotes early childhood literacy by providing free books at well-child visits. The program encourages parents/caregivers & children alike to read aloud daily as part of their regular routine – building vocabulary skills while also promoting bonding between parent/caregiver & child!
With over 100,000 children served each year in North Carolina alone, Reach Out And Read Carolinas is making a significant impact on early childhood literacy in our state!