Pediatricians in Philadelphia Prescribe Books to Boost Child Literacy
Pediatricians at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are expanding a program called 'Reach Out and Read' to promote literacy among children. This initiative involves pediatricians modeling reading for parents and prescribing books during well visits for children from birth to age five. The program, which has been running for 25 years at St. Christopher's and 30 years at CHOP, aims to build home libraries and encourage reading as a part of early childhood development. The Pennsylvania chapter of 'Reach Out and Read' has grown significantly, with plans to expand to an additional 100 sites statewide. Research indicates that parents who receive books during visits are more likely to read to their children, which is crucial for brain development in the first three years of life. 
