Reach Out and Read's Evidence Base

What distinguishes Reach Out and Read from other interventions is that it is evidence-based. Since 1991, the Reach Out and Read model has been studied by academic investigators in a variety of settings, providing a growing body of peer-reviewed research on the effects of the program.

The body of published research supporting the efficacy of the Reach Out and Read model is more extensive than for any other psychosocial intervention in general pediatrics.

Key findings:

  • Parents served by Reach Out and Read are up to four times more likely to read aloud to their children.
  • Children served by Reach Out and Read show significant developmental gains in language and a six-month developmental edge over their peers in the preschool years.
  • Children served by Reach Out and Read also score higher on vocabulary tests and school readiness assessments.


The following studies have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals:

Needlman, et al., American Journal of Diseases of Children, 1991

Parents who had received a book as part of Reach Out and Read were more likely to report reading books with their children, or to say that reading was a favorite activity. The benefits of Reach Out and Read were larger for families receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Read the complete study. (PDF)

High et al., Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 1998

Parents whose children (< 3 years) had received books and educational materials during well-child visits, were more likely than parents in a control group to report that they shared books with their children, and to cite sharing books as a favorite activity or a child's favorite activity. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Golova et al., Pediatrics, 1999

Hispanic parents whose children had received bilingual books, educational materials and literacy-promoting anticipatory guidance were more likely to report reading books with their child at least 3 days/week (66% vs. 24%) and report that reading books was one of their three favorite things to do with their child (43% vs. 13%) than parents in a control group. Parents participating in the ROR-model intervention also tended to have more books in the home (for children and adults). Read the complete study. (PDF)

High et al., Pediatrics, 2000

Families participating in the Reach Out and Read model were more likely to read to their children (4.3 vs. 3.8 days/week), and their toddlers' receptive and expressive vocabulary scores were higher, even when adjusting for parental education, foreign-born and language proficiency. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Sanders et al., Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2000

Hispanic parents participating in Reach Out and Read were more likely to report reading to their children compared to other parents. When parents read more frequently to their children, they were also more likely to read frequently themselves. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Jones et al., Clinical Pediatrics, 2000

Parents participating in Reach Out and Read were more likely to rate their child's pediatrician as helpful than those not participating. Pediatricians in the Reach Out and Read group were more likely to rate parents as receptive than those in the non-Reach Out and Read group. Mothers in the Reach Out and Read group were two times more likely to report enjoyment in reading together with their child than those in the non-Reach Out and Read group. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Mendelsohn et al., Pediatrics, 2001

High-risk urban families participating in Reach Out and Read read more frequently to their children. Children exposed to Reach Out and Read had higher receptive language scores (mean: 94.5 vs. 84.8) and expressive language scores (mean: 84.3 vs. 81.6). Increased exposure to Reach Out and Read led to larger increases in language scores (receptive and expressive). Read the complete study. (PDF)

Sharif et al., Journal of the National Medical Association, 2002

Children participating in Reach Out and Read had higher receptive vocabulary scores (mean: 81.5 vs. 74.3). They also had higher scores on the Home Literacy Orientation (measured reading to child and number of books in the home) than children not participating in Reach Out and Read. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Silverstein et al., Pediatrics, 2002

English and non-English speaking families who participated in the Reach Out and Read model increased their weekly bedtime reading, and more parents reported reading as their own or their child's favorite activity. For non-English speaking families the number of children's books in the home also increased as a result of the Reach Out and Read model. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Theriot et al., Clinical Pediatrics, 2003

Among children age 33 to 39 months attending a well-child clinic in Louisville, KY, expressive and receptive language scores were significantly associated with both the number of Reach Out and Read-enhanced well-child visits they had attended, and with the number of books purchased for them by their parents. This finding supports a "dose effect" for the Reach Out and Read intervention: the more Reach Out and Read, the higher the score. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Weitzman et al., Pediatrics, 2004

In a study using direct observation of children's homes, parents were more likely to read aloud to their children and enjoy reading together when their families had more encounters with the Reach Out and Read program. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Needlman et al., Ambulatory Pediatrics, 2005

In a multicenter study, families exposed to Reach Out and Read were more likely to report reading aloud at bedtime, to read aloud 3 or more days per week, mention reading aloud as a favorite parenting activity, and own 10 or more children's books. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Byington et al., Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 2008

This qualitative study examined the thank-you notes sent to staff at a Reach Out and Read clinic by Hispanic families. Families expressed thanks for the books received, as well as the literacy advice given by doctors and nurses. Many families believed that the books and advice promoted the habit of reading and demonstrated respect the staff held for the families and their children. Read the complete study. (PDF)

King et al., Academic Pediatrics, 2009

Successful implementation of the Reach Out and Read program was related to the culture of the clinic. Staff at clinics that struggled to implement Reach Out and Read found their jobs burdensome and reported lacks in communication. Staff at successful Reach Out and Read Sites worked as a team and expressed strong commitments to their communities. Read the complete study. (PDF)

Read the complete Reach Out and Read Research Summary. (PDF)

Impact & Research
Questions?
Contact the National Programs Coordinator at info@reachoutandread.org.
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