(FOX 10 News)
Reach Out and Read Alabama’s Rx for Summer Reading campaign has featured a hungry caterpillar, dancing barnyard animals, a big red dog in a storm, dinosaurs celebrating birthdays, a bunny visiting the doctor, a superhero kid, a sleepy tiger, a camellia-adorned black bear, a toddler at a well-child appointment, a cat that wears sunglasses, a young girl who worries, and a mouse that eats cookies! This year, Reach Out and Read Alabama celebrates 15 years of Rx for Summer Reading and a favorite monkey joins the fun with “Curious George and the Birthday Surprise,” a sweet, funny story full of everything kids love: party decorations, presents, and a beautiful birthday cake.
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“As pediatricians, we believe strongly in activities that promote the overall social, physical, and mental wellbeing of children. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that positive early childhood experiences improve outcomes in all of these areas – and reading together is just about one of the most positive childhood experiences there is! I am proud to support families reading together by sharing both books and education in my office,” said Nola Ernest, MD, FAAP, PhD, President of the Alabama Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics, and Medical Clinician at Reach Out and Read-Alabama program site, Enterprise Pediatric Clinic. “And, as always, I am looking forward to our summer reading campaign as another opportunity to highlight how fun reading can be.”
“Reach Out and Read has an incredible impact on Alabama’s children and the patients I serve. Serving on the Alabama Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics Board allows me to see Reach Out and Read-Alabama’s impact around the state. When you see a child and parent’s face light up when you hand the child a book you see connection instantly. Reach Out and Read is an incredible resource for medical providers to promote strong relationships between parents and children and promote early literacy skills,” said Elizabeth Dawson, MD, FAAP, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alabama Chapter-AAP and Medical Consultant for the program site at Troy Pediatric Clinic & Collegiate Health. “Children learn best when it is a part of connecting to their caregivers and Reach Out and Read helps families throughout Alabama connect and learn every day.”
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Reach Out and Read Alabama partners with clinicians in 74 pediatric practices and clinics across 27 counties, serving over 81,000 of Alabama’s children under five.
Watch the interview and read the full article at FOX 10 News here.
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