Doctors and nurses from Opelika’s Pediatric Clinic are sending families home from well-child visits with free books as part of the Reach Out and Read program.The goal of the program is to prepare children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers was at the clinic to help kick things off, reading Robie H. Harris’ “Maybe A Bear Ate It” to some of the clinic’s patients Tuesday.
The book is about the creative possibilities a child comes up with when a favorite book is misplaced.
“When a family visits the clinic for a well-child visit, the patient get lots of messages from the pediatrician about topics like safety and proper nutrition,” said Polly McClure, ROR statewide coordinator. “This program allows the pediatrician to give a book to the patient while at the same time, they’re also talking to the parents or caregivers about the importance of reading aloud to their child and its benefits in preparing them for success in school.”
ROR officials estimate 35 percent of American children entering kindergarten lack the basic language skills they need to read.
Through the ROR program, doctors and nurses at the clinic give a new book to children from six months to 5 years, so by the time the child is ready to start school, they have received 10 new books from their pediatrician.
“Getting these books is instrumental for many families,” McClure said. “If you ask someone to do something but don’t give them the tools to do it, then in many cases, they’re not going to go out and buy a book.“
After reading to patients Tuesday, Rogers toured the clinic.
“This is a great way to remind children and families that reading can be fun,” Rogers said. “I have small children and have great appreciation for the importance of this program.”
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