Reach Out and Read South Carolina

Reach Out and Read is the only national early literacy organization working directly with clinicians to share the lifelong benefits that result from families reading aloud to their children every day. We know that nurturing, language-rich interactions like reading aloud together give young children a foundation for success. By integrating these experiences into pediatric care and providing the tools and encouragement families need to read aloud together, we can transform pediatric care and give children of all backgrounds and means a better start to life.

Funds raised will support 38 active Reach Out and Read programs across the 11 Midlands' counties impacting over 34,000 low-income families at nearly 70,000 well-child visits, annually. ROR's two generation approach helps move primary care to a more comprehensive approach to child and family health.

Our 3-part intervention is a part of all well child visits for children up to 5 years of age at all clinic program locations:

1. The Conversation: During well-child visits, the doctor prescribes reading by modeling read aloud strategies while teaching and training the parent about how to share books and why it is important. Parents are engaged in the conversation as the provider offers anticipatory guidance and emphasizes how reading brings families together.

2. The Book: Each child is given a new, culturally and developmentally appropriate book to take home, building a collection of 10-15 new books in the home before the child goes to kindergarten.

3. Literacy-Rich Environment and Resources: Clinic environments support literacy-rich messaging and resources to families, supporting providers in community-health resources, and supporting parents in daily literacy activities with their children.

We are strengthening relationships by building moments that matter for children and their families through the power of reading together. Our goal is for every young child and their family to access early relational health and foundational literacy supports through pediatric primary care.

Testimonials

"It is lovely to see a program like this exist; to share quality books with children and families, that may have limited access. I especially love to see the bi-lingual text offered to expand language early and offer an inclusive experience for children and families."

Prisma Health Family Medicine

"Reading the books to toddlers in front of parents because it demonstrates to parents that toddlers want to be read to and that it is easier to engage them.   It is nice to see when the turn down the phone to come and look at a book. It fosters discussions about child’s development and helps to build the child's at home library."

Kimberly Hightower, MD

Sterling Sharpe Pediatric Center

"My favorite Reach Out and Read experience is seeing the expression on parents face as they begin their babies first library. Observing toddlers turn the pages and show interest in reading. This also allows the home visitors to observe developmental skills, bonding, and family relationships. Being able to give a child their very first book and building their library. The ROR book program has increased early language and literacy throughout the first two years of life. Observing families during book reading helps the home visitor track growth, development, and cognitive skills. It's an opportunity to observe bonding, family interaction, and offer education."

Family Solutions of Orangeburg