Jo's Reach Out and Read

Many children, especially those in poverty, may not be exposed to books until Kindergarten or Head Start. Researchers know that reading and language skills begin long before school starts. Pediatricians are in a unique position to deliver this message, because the average child will visit a pediatrician’s office several times before the age of two for well child visits and vaccinations.

Reach Out and Read promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms. This nationwide program gives new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.

Vanderbilt pediatrician Rebecca Swan and her husband Michael, a Nashville obstetrician, founded Jo’s Reach Out and Read in 2000. It is a local chapter of this national effort, in 2000 in memory of their daughter, Johanna.

Reach Out and Read builds on the relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, ages six months to five years. Jo’s Reach Out and Read serves more than 4000 children and their families annually. This program works! Families read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills.