Reach Out and Read: A Pediatric Clinic-Based Approach to Early Literacy Promotion

Access: Institutional Access

Publication year

2000

study description

Commentary.

core topic(s)

Reach Out and Read (ROR)

Population Characteristics

Lingually Diverse

Exposures, Outcomes, Other

Brain/Neurocognitive , Child Behaviors and Skills , Child Development (general) , Home Language/Literacy/Learning Environment , Parent Behaviors and Skills

objectives

To discuss ROR as a pediatric clinic-based approach to early literacy promotion.

exposure

Reach Out and Read (ROR).

outcomes evaluated

Early literacy promotion.

methods

Topics Discussed: Risk factors for illiteracy; Brain development and reading; Development of literacy skills; The ROR program; Early literacy milestones and the developmental examination; The role of the NP; ROR program development; ROR Books; Books for bilingual children; Parents with poor reading skills; Future efforts.

measures

Review.

results

Approximately 90 million adults in the United States read at a level that limits their ability to function as full members of society or limits their ability to meet their basic needs. Reading success as an adult is related to early literacy experiences. Reading aloud by parents is the single most critical factor in a child's reading success later in life. Children in households where there is little exposure to reading are at risk for reading failure even before entering school. As primary health care providers, pediatric nurse practitioners are in a unique position to affect and encourage parental behaviors that foster early literacy development in children. Literacy should become incorporated as an integral component of health promotion for children.

conclusions

Reach Out and Read is a successful literacy program in the United States that can be easily adopted by pediatric nurse practitioners in primary care settings.

limitations

Not discussed.