Since 1998, Columbia Valley Community Health has fostered an ongoing partnership with the national award-winning Reach Out and Read program. This year marks our 25th year anniversary making CVCH the 2nd oldest clinic in the state of Washington!
Since 2007, CVCH providers have given over 38,000 books to children!
Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization of medical providers who promote early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. At every CVCH well-child check visit, providers and parents read a book aloud to their child. At the end of the visit, the child keeps the book. Increased literacy rates have been linked to better health outcomes and give children a better chance for success in school and life.
Reach Out and Read builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, beginning at 6 months of age. Reach Out and Read serves more than 4 million children and their families annually. Reach Out and Read families read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills. During the preschool years, children served by Reach Out and Read score three to six months ahead of their non-Reach Out and Read peers on vocabulary tests. These early foundational language skills help start children on a path of success when they enter school.
Below you will find a PDF with suggested tips on how you and your children can start a successful reading routine.