It's Never Too Early

The Reading Connection

he first thing I read to my newborn twins was The New York Times' "Week in Review." This wasn't out of a desire to turn my babies into policy analysts, but after three weeks of nonstop feeding, holding, and diaper changes, I needed to reestablish a connection with the outside world. I sat on the bed with both my babies, spread out the paper, and began to read. Hannah and Jeremy listened to the sound of my voice, I made rustling sounds with the paper, and maybe, just maybe, they connected the two.

From The New York Times Hannah and Jeremy rapidly advanced to the more sophisticated fare of Dr. Seuss. At the age of one month the twins had a library of about 20 board books. "Boom Boom Boom, Mr. Brown is a wonder, Boom Boom Boom, Mr. Brown makes thunder" became a mantra in our home. Even at this early age the twins' eyes would follow as we turned the page.

And now at 6 months, the twins have quite the broad taste in books--literally. They tend to eat them, but it doesn't stop them from putting on a smile when their daddy starts to read to them from the ever-popular Goodnight Moon.

It is just these types of experiences that inspired us to start the Reach Out and Read program at the University of Miami School of Medicine. The program, which was developed at Boston Medical Center, has three main components. First, physicians counsel parents on the importance of reading to their children. Next, the physician gives the child a book at each well visit between the ages of six months and five years. And third, volunteer readers in the waiting room actively engage children in reading.

The purpose of the program is not to "teach children to read," but rather to develop language and a familiarity with books. Children in our clinics often suffer from language delay--speaking only a few words at the age of two. Many times this is from a lack of stimulation. Parents, especially those who are young, are sometimes not sure how to talk with their babies.

Reading a book to a child is a concrete communication task. When the baby responds to the parent's voice through a smile, or perhaps even a giggle, it is reinforcing to the parent, frequently resulting in an increase in communication. Just having a baby sit on a mother's lap as she points and identifies pictures of animals is a form of reading.

Studies have shown that families who have been counseled by physicians and have been given books are much more likely to rate reading as one of their favorite activities to do with their children. Not only does this promote language, but hopefully it will promote a familiarity with books that may lead to better reading skills.

Reach Out and Read provides books in English and Spanish. Our program was started last year with an initial grant from Jay and Renee Weiss. Since that time, we have received support from SunTrust Bank, the Blank Foundation, and Starbucks Coffee. Since our inception, we have distributed more than 2,500 books to parents and children, and our volunteers have read with more than 2,800
children.

So many prescriptions given by physicians involve doing something distasteful (such as taking medicine) that will have a positive outcome at some point in the future. Reading to a child is a win-now and a win-later proposition.

Even the pickiest eater can learn to love Green Eggs and Ham.

­Gwen Wurm