Reading to children at an early age enhances childhood brain and social development, and is a long-term contributor to a child’s success in school.
For that reason, since 2018, all ThedaCare pediatricians and primary care providers have been engaged with the national Reach Out and Read program, the only national pediatric literacy program endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The program begins with parents receiving a book at their baby’s first post-birth checkup and continues through age five. At each well-child visit, the child receives a book that is age, language and culturally appropriate to take home, with the intention that the parents or guardians will regularly read that book with their child. The providers then talk with the parents or guardians about the importance of reading aloud to children as part of the developmental progress.
“According to research, we know that 90% of a toddler’s brain development occurs between birth and age five, so it’s a critical stage of development,” said Tracey Ratzburg, Community Health Coordinator for ThedaCare. “The initial purpose of the Reach Out and Read program is to get parents reading to their children, and it’s far more than a reading program. It also helps build a social connection and trusting relationship between parents and the child, so it’s relational and literacy growth combined.”
The providers also talk about the connection between cuddling and reading that helps children feel safe and how reading at home helps children learn that books provide positive experiences.
In 2023, 25 ThedaCare Clinics handed out 23,088 books, with 184 ThedaCare providers participating in the program.
Reach Out and Read Wisconsin notes that families are 2.5 times more likely to read to their children when provided books by a pediatrician or primary care provider. Studies show that reading to children from infancy on accelerates language development by three to six months, increases receptive and expressive language ability and contributes to academic success.
“The first three years of a child’s life are the most crucial in a child’s cognitive, emotional and social development,” said Kristin Lundine, APNP, at ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Appleton. “When parents read to their children, they can enhance their child’s overall development. It goes beyond the reading; the experience of the child feeling safe, connected and supported does a great deal for their social and emotional development as well.”
The program also gives providers and care teams an opportunity to connect during visits.
“I’ll often squat down to the child’s level and offer him or her their new book,” said Lundine. “Usually the child is still on the other side of the room, which allows me the opportunity to observe their interest level in the book and whether they are comfortable engaging with me. How they walk toward me or reach out and react to the book helps me assess their gross and fine motor skills.”
Seeing Success
Lundine also noted the interactions allow her to learn more about the family dynamics at home as well. She has seen great examples of the benefits from the program.
“I recently had the experience of working with a family whose baby didn’t especially like tummy time,” she explained. “When I flipped her over onto to her stomach on the exam table, I placed the book she was receiving in front of her and she began looking at it and offered less resistance to being on her tummy. It was amazing to see the parents make the connection that maybe she doesn’t really dislike tummy time; rather she just needs something to look at.”
Lundine noted that the earliest books provided are very high contrast in black and white to accommodate an infant’s limited vision.
“Parents may not realize that it is never too soon to read together,” she said. “This baby’s experience proved that. Beyond that, the physical connection between baby and parent while being read to is equally important. And, the importance of the baby hearing their parents’ voices shouldn’t be understated either. It’s all part of the communication learning process.”
Recently, Reach Out and Read Wisconsin held a statewide conference in Appleton to promote the program to more health systems, highlighting the success of ThedaCare’s program. Nearly 140,000 books have been shared with families since ThedaCare first joined the Reach Out and Read program in 2013.
