BOOKS BUILD BRAINS It Takes All Of Us: Information for Medical Assistants and Clinical Staff in Maine Presented by Colette Sabbagh, MD Clinical Advisor, Raising Readers

Big Picture: Why Does It Matter? 42% of people in Maine have something in their daily life that they cannot do because of a literacy issue such as: Filling out tax forms Following a recipe Reading a medication label or dosing spoon/syringe

What is Raising Readers? Started in 2000 with funding from the Libra Foundation Will be celebrating its 15th year of inspiring early literacy in all Maine children in 2015 Established so every child aged birth to five who receives well-child care in Maine receives small library of books and grows up being read to from birth Program involves hundreds of healthcare providers handing out developmentally appropriate and high quality books at births and well-child visits Providers counsel families about the impact reading to children has on brain development

Raising Readers Stats Children are given 2-3 books in a tote at birth leaving the hospital, birthing center, or at home 11 books at WCV from 2 months – 5 years Over 2 million books have been given to over 229,000 Maine kids as of 2015!

What We Know Children who are read to 3 times a week for 20 minutes are more likely to grow up to love reading! Having as few as 20 books in the home has a significant impact on learning American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with research stating that parents should start reading to their newborns as soon as possible Helps develop listening skills Great time for families to bond with their little ones!

What We Know Brain development is 90% complete by age of 3 75% of a child’s knowledge about trust and bonding happens during first 2 years of life 700 new brain connections are formed each second during first two years of life

What We Know Children who read 20 minutes a day tend to have higher school performance Psych Central, 2008readingbyphonics.com

How are books being given out in your office? Hand out book at the beginning of the visit before provider enters the room Allows provider to see how a child and family members interact with the book Provides an opening for a discussion about literacy and brain development

What can I do to promote early literacy? Compliment parents and/or caregivers on their child’s interest and ability to physically handle books Suggest reading at bedtime to help relax child before sleep and/or deal with sleep issues Point out a child’s positive response to a book

What else can we do? Remember: A sticker is not a book. Book should not be given as casually as a sticker Use this opportunity to talk about how important books and reading are for babies and children Encourage parents to read to their babies as newborns!!

Messages You Can Give Families Recognize the value of a book at any age. Read daily and often! Let them see you, the parent, reading. Recognize that books help families develop bonding and trust. Keep a reading routine. Read anywhere! Keep a book in the diaper bag, car, etc. Read anything!! Lists, signs, etc. Have conversations with your child. Talk to them as much as you can! Narrate your life.

Objectives for Families & Caregivers 1. I will read aloud daily with my children. 2. I will be a more visible reading role model. 3. I will visit the local library with my kids more often. 4. I will keep some books in my car and diaper bag.

How are Raising Readers books chosen? Books are chosen carefully by committee of over 30 healthcare providers, educators, and parents Committee reads ~100 books a year and rates them on a scale of 1-5 based on personal and professional opinion of the book’s merit and compatibility with the program Raising Readers Clinical Advisors and staff meet to choose 2-3 options for each well-child visit age Take Committee’s feedback into account Raising Readers selects 12 books for upcoming year that are purchased and distributed throughout Maine About 12,000 copies of each book!

What can we do next? Keep encouraging families to read to newborns! Share the number of books your practice gives out each month to encourage staff to remember to hand out books at every well- child visit! Follow Raising Readers on social media: Write Raising Readers a note or post on Facebook to let staff know how you like the program and anything they could do to make your experience better!