Promoting early literacy.
A new partnership between the Fulton County Library System and Reach Out and Read Georgia is putting new books into the hands of babies from infancy to 6 months at each well-baby checkup. “Books for Babies is a trifecta between pediatricians, parents and babies to improve reading skills,” says Amy Erickson, executive director of Reach Out and Read Georgia whose core program extends to age 5. “We need to invest early because that’s where we can get the best results.” Supported by the Fulton County Library Foundation, the early literacy initiative will reach more than 2,357 babies this year.
The program is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and has a waiting list of physicians eager to participate. Books help build trust, and the program gives pediatricians an opportunity to model fun ways parents can interact with their children.
“We hope that this will encourage not only children to read, but parents and caregivers to read and visit their local library as well,” says Marcia Divack, a branch administrator with the Fulton County Library System.
According to the Georgia Milestones Assessment System, 61% of Georgia children are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade. “It can set them back years and has impacts on their vocabulary and on all aspects of learning,” says Divack.
REACH OUT AND READ GEORGIA
reachoutandreadgeorgia.org
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