On October 1, Reach Out and Read NW was pleased to welcome Washington State Representative Lisa Parshley and Kevin Snow (on behalf of Representative Beth Doglio) to South Sound Pediatrics. During the visit, clinic staff talked about the importance of the children’s book as a tool to model, mentor and connect with families during routine well-child visits, and how the Reach Out and Read model supports that work.
After touring South Sound Pediatrics’ literacy-enriched clinic, and choosing some children’s books for a read-along, Representative Parshley settled in for a post-lunch, pre-nap story time.
Clinic staff and children laughed, applauded and cheered on a puppy-lovin’ Pigeon; and helped Cat search high and low for a missing bedtime story (spoiler alert – the shark did not eat it!)
Reach Out and Read provides a framework and evidence based model for clinicians to offer bridges of hope and help to families that may have no other way to connect to community services and early childhood literacy supports. The dedicated team at South Sound Pediatrics has been making Reach Out and Read a part of their medical practice for nearly 10 years.
To learn more about Reach Out and Read in Washington: https://reachoutandread.org/affiliate/washington/
To learn more about South Sound Pediatrics: https://southsoundpeds.com/