LITERACY TOOLKIT: INTRODUCTION

Ten Things Every Pediatrician Can Do to Promote Literacy Why Promote Literacy in a Pediatric Office?

Developmental Guidelines Cultural Appropriateness Characters Child's Self-image Variety Cost

Web Sites Books About Reading Books by Age Books by Topic

Web Site Sources Book Fairs Volunteer Resources

Handouts for Parents Request for Donations 1 Request for Donations 2 Certificate of Appreciation Calendar of Literacy & Related Events

AAP Web Page on Health Literacy Materials for Parents

CATCH Grants AAP Resources

Reading to an infant, a toddler, a pre-schooler, or a young child affords a multitude of benefits to children, parents, families and communities alike. Over time, you'll see the time parents spend reading with their children taking positive effect. Shared reading promotes:

	Early brain development
	Emotional bonding and the parent-child relationship
	Language development
	Regular bedtime routines
	Early literacy skills

And this activity doesn't involve a television or computer game.

You are the first professional with whom parents establish a relationship around the care of their child, a relationship that is consistent and valued.

If the doctor suggests book sharing with children, then it must be important.

The conversations will start with, "The doctor said we should read to our baby...and that we will all enjoy it."

And they will.

And you'll enjoy sharing the joy of reading with the families in your care. Your patients will look forward to seeing you and receiving their books.

As pediatric health providers, we are all looking for effective ways to make a positive difference for our patients and their families. This is an intervention that does just that—
in the form of changing attitudes about book sharing, increasing book sharing behaviors, impacting receptive and expressive language development and so much more.

We hope this updated Literacy Toolkit provides useful resources for you to utilize in your own practice. The site is meant to introduce a wide variety of strategies and tools to support your mission of promoting your patients’ development and future school success. There are resources available in a variety of languages, and for parents of all reading levels. We recommend using the language of “book sharing” and “looking at books with your child” in an effort to acknowledge that even parents who cannot read themselves are able to share this invaluable gift with their children.

This project was only possible thanks to the support of so many.

Thanks to the authors:

	Diane Der Marderosian, MD, FAAP
	Jacquelyn Miller, MLS
	Danette Glassey, MD, FAAP
	Faye Jones, MD, PhD, FAAP
	Pamela C High, MD, FAAP

Thanks also to the following individuals and group who made this possible:

	Renee Farrugia, Hasbro Children's Hospital Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
	Lisa Nadeau, Hasbro Children's Hospital Family Resource Center
	Melissa Chiavaroli, RORRI
	Reach Out and Read - National Center

Thanks to our funders:

	Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health
	US Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Bureau
	Dyson Foundation
	Literacy Research Fund, Hasbro Children's Hospital Department of Pediatrics