Jun 26, 2025 / School Age, Toddlers
By Amanda Nielson, MD / Cottonwood

Reach Out and Read Nurtures Young Readers

Let’s talk about Reach Out and Read, a remarkable program that’s planting the seeds for literacy and a lifelong love of learning in young children!  Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit program that partners with pediatricians to promote early literacy and school readiness – right in your pediatric clinic.

Starting at your child’s 6-month well visit and continuing through age 5, your pediatric provider will:

• Talk with you about the importance of reading aloud
• Offer tips for making story time fun and part of your daily routine
• Give your child a brand-new age-appropriate book to take home and keep

By reaching families during crucial early years, Reach Out and Read is making a tangible difference in the lives of children and communities.

More Than Just a Book: The Profound Impact

The first five years of life are a critical window for brain development.  In fact, more than 80% of a child’s brain is developed by age 3, and reading aloud is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to support it.

The effectiveness of Reach Out and Read is backed by research and national data.  Studies have shown that children and families participating in the program have increased vocabulary, language development, listening skills, and a greater appreciation for reading.  Other benefits include:

1. Fostering Early Literacy Skills: By encouraging reading aloud daily, the program helps develop crucial pre-reading skills like vocabulary acquisition, phonological awareness (understanding sounds in words), print awareness, and even book-handling. These skills help build a foundation for later reading success in school and beyond.
2. Strengthening Parent-Child Bonds: Sharing a book creates a special moment of connection between a parent and child. Cuddling up with a story fosters warmth, bonding, and positive interactions that build healthy social-emotional development.
3. Empowering Parents as Educators: Reach Out and Read gives parents tools and confidence to take an active role in their child’s literacy journey. With support from their pediatrician, parents are empowered to embrace their role as their child’s first and most important teacher.
4. Creating Home Libraries:  From birth to age 5, each child receives 10 books to grow their home collection. For many families, this access to engaging books helps spark a love of reading and fosters a literacy-rich home environment.
5. Promoting School Readiness: Children who have been read to regularly enter school with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills, giving them an important advantage as they begin their formal education. 

How You Can Be Part of the Story

As a parent, simply participating in your child’s well visits is the best way to take advantage of Reach Out and Read.  You’ll receive free books, encouragement, and support from your pediatric care team to make reading a regular part of your child’s day.

Want to go a step further?  Reach Out and Read relies on the support of individuals and organizations who believe in the power of early literacy.  Here are a few other ways to get involved:

• Start a daily storytime ritual — even just 10 minutes a day matters!
• Visit your local library for free books and storytime events
• Spread the word to other families about the power of reading
• Make a donation to help Reach Out and Read provide new, age-appropriate books for children.

Reach Out and Read is more than just a program – it’s an investment in the future.  By placing books into the hands of young children and empowering parents as reading partners, it’s nurturing a generation of lifelong learners and building a brighter tomorrow, one story at a time.

At Wasatch Pediatrics, we’re proud to be a Reach Out and Reach partner – let’s all help plant those seeds for success!