1. Tu Libro Y Tu Doctor Claudia Aristy Assistant Director Children of Bellevue’s Reach Out and Read Bellevue Hospital, New York May 4, 2007

2. ROR Team Volunteers Read to children in waiting area Parent Educators Talk to parents about the importance of books Pediatricians Encourage parents to read to children & provide parents with age- appropriate books

3. Who Are Our Parent Educators? Our two full time parent educators are : Bilingual : English and Spanish Bilingual : English and Spanish Bicultural: Dominican and Mexican American Bicultural: Dominican and Mexican American Immigrants Immigrants Parents Parents Trained in child development and education Trained in child development and education

4. Benefits of Having a Parent Educator Takes advantage of waiting room time before parents see the doctor Takes advantage of waiting room time before parents see the doctor “Sets the stage” for the pediatrician’s literacy guidance “Sets the stage” for the pediatrician’s literacy guidance Expands on issues that the doctor can’t address due to time constraints Expands on issues that the doctor can’t address due to time constraints Serves as a bridge to other needed services Serves as a bridge to other needed services

5. How Do We Work With Latino Families? With respect-- “el respeto" is an important concept in the Latino culture With respect-- “el respeto" is an important concept in the Latino culture With a positive attitude and approach With a positive attitude and approach By following parents “lead” By following parents “lead” Starting with what the parents know and building on that Starting with what the parents know and building on that Modifying the “curriculum” as parents are ready for more information Modifying the “curriculum” as parents are ready for more information

6. Video Interaction between parent educator and a Spanish speaking family Interaction between parent educator and a Spanish speaking family Family is from Mexico and the baby is 6 months old Family is from Mexico and the baby is 6 months old

7. Book Sharing: Cultural Attitudes and Personal Experiences Listen to parents experiences and ideas about book sharing Listen to parents experiences and ideas about book sharing Build on what the parent says Build on what the parent says Plant the seed Plant the seed

8. Successful Ways to “Plant the Seed” Role modeling with book Role modeling with book Make analogies Hispanic parent can relate to Make analogies Hispanic parent can relate to “Reading is food for the baby’s brain.” “Reading is food for the baby’s brain.” Acknowledge daily time demands Acknowledge daily time demands “It doesn’t take that much time to make a difference.” “It doesn’t take that much time to make a difference.” Book sharing can happen anywhere Book sharing can happen anywhere “Look at books together on the bus or subway.” “Look at books together on the bus or subway.”

9. Other Topics Bilingualism Addressing concerns about reading and speaking to their children in Spanish Addressing concerns about reading and speaking to their children in Spanish Informing parents that their pediatricians can give them Spanish and bilingual books Informing parents that their pediatricians can give them Spanish and bilingual books Chapter books in Spanish for older children Chapter books in Spanish for older children Providing child development guidelines Providing child development guidelines Other issues Other issues Establishing routines, watching TV, video games, sibling rivalry, navigating the health care system and the education system Establishing routines, watching TV, video games, sibling rivalry, navigating the health care system and the education system

10. Outside Resources Using the public library Using the public library Referrals to English classes Referrals to English classes

11. Materials We Use Parent booklet: Babies Love Books (BookStart-Book Trust) Parent booklet: Babies Love Books (BookStart-Book Trust) Age specific reading “tips” handouts (High& Hopmann, Bedtime & Book Sharing Program ) Age specific reading “tips” handouts (High& Hopmann, Bedtime & Book Sharing Program ) DVD- “Read Aloud” from Raising a Reader Foundation DVD- “Read Aloud” from Raising a Reader Foundation Library applications Library applications Noodle Soup-- parenting handouts Noodle Soup-- parenting handouts ROR Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy ROR Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy Literacy Assistance Center card Literacy Assistance Center card

12. Addressing Some of the Barriers Language Language Having bilingual parent educators who can pave the way Having bilingual parent educators who can pave the way Other bilingual staff Other bilingual staff Interpreter services Interpreter services Language line Language line TEMIS TEMIS

13. Health Literacy and Education Level Most of our parents did not complete their formal education in their countries. Most of our parents did not complete their formal education in their countries. Inability to navigate health system. Inability to navigate health system. Non-English speakers or English as a second language. Non-English speakers or English as a second language. Most forms and health related materials are in English. Most forms and health related materials are in English.

14. THE H.E.L.P. PROJECT The Health Education and Literacy for Parents