Amber Richart reads "Where the Wilds Things Are" to Foster and Sawyer.

Close your eyes and think back to when you were a child. What were some of your favorite games to play? Did you play pretend? What was the story line? Who were the characters? Can you picture yourself thumbing through the pages of your favorite books, studying every illustration and imagining you were living on that page yourself?

Stories and imagination let us escape the confines of our own minds and tap into our brains’ greater potential. There’s a bumper sticker I once saw that read, “Turn off the TV and read a book. It’s called thinking outside the box.” Unlike passive television viewing, reading books lets your mind go to infinity and beyond. Books transform parents into master storytellers and take them on great journeys to magical places with their children. The bonding over books experience helps relationships and children’s minds grow.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you begin reading to your child no later than six months. The Academy conveys research showing reading aloud not only helps children learn to love books, but helps them express themselves verbally and develop socially, emotionally and physically. It promotes brain and intellectual development as well as vital literacy skills. These skills are critical in school and in life.

Unfortunately, many children do not experience this early reading experience. Reach Out and Read is a national non-profit organization that began in 1989 as a way to help prevent illiteracy, encourage family bonding through books, and improve children’s chances at academic success. They promote early literacy by making books a part of pediatric primary care. Parents are provided the information, support and materials they need to make books a part of their children’s lives.

Reach Out and Read partners with pediatricians and family physicians to intervene in children’s poor skill development and lack of readiness for school. At every child check-up from six months to five years, children receive a new book. Their health care provider speaks with parents about the importance of sharing books with their little ones every day. Currently, more than 76,000 well child check-ups are provided in 37 clinics in Arkansas every year where the Reach Out and Read program is implemented. More clinics are waiting to join the effort as funding for the program allows.

Sawyer Richart, 7,  Edie Rose Ward, 3, and Violet Ward, 4, have it made in the shade with a Dr. Seuss classic.

Reach Out and Read’s Reading 101 for Parents

  • Read Actively: Point out colors, shapes and characters. Have your kids identify what they see. Become involved in the story.
  • Touch the Book: Great for motor skills, encourage your children to hold the book and turn the pages.
  • Bonding Time: Curling up with your child and a good read is a great way to strengthen your relationship.
  • Be Dramatic: Loosen up and let yourself be silly. Your kids will love funny voices and sounds!

For more information or to support Reach Out and Read
Rx for Success Event - Raising funds for a healthier, more literate Arkansas
Thursday, September 11 | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Next Level Events in Little Rock | Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at the door
ReachOutAndReadArkansas.org