Project Narrative:
Child Literacy
Reading to Children
Pictures
Reach Out and Read is a national initiative that promotes reading to children within a health care setting. Volunteer readers use waiting time at a free clinic to engage kids in reading activities, discuss the importance of reading with a parent or guardian, and give that kid a new book to take home. Studies have shown that distributing books in a health care setting along with a short session to promote
reading has been very effective (reference listed below). The program here in Madison differs from other Reach Out and Read programs in two important ways: (1) we read at free clinics-the Salvation Army Free Clinic on E. Washington and the Southside Saturday morning clinic on S. Park St. and (2) we utilize medical student volunteer readers which offers a chance to learn about the importance of reading in a child’s life.
Once the patient is seen by the doctor, the child is given a brand new book to take home as well as a bookmark with advice for the parents. The med student fills out a “prescription” of reading to the child for at least 10 minutes per day, and gives the parent age-appropriate advice on reading to children.
Programs at both Southside and Salvation Army have been revived this year and are always accepting monetary and book donations. There is a special need for bilingual or Spanish books as many children at Southside speak Spanish.