1. The Mission Reach Out and Read prepares America’s youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.

2. Reach Out and Read Medical providers encourage parents to read aloud and offer practical advice on how to do so At every health supervision visit, children aged 6 months to 6 years old receive a new, developmentally appropriate book Waiting rooms provide a literacy rich environment

3. The ROR Impact Nationwide Reach Out and Read serves 35% of low income infants, toddlers and preschoolers in the US at over 4500 programs nationwide Low income children participating score significantly higher on vocabulary tests and show improved language development Increases family engagement towards reading aloud

4. Summary of Research on ROR ROR significantly and positively influences the literacy environment of children: Parents read more to their children, parents and children have more positive attitudes toward reading aloud Children participating in ROR tend to have increased language development in comparison to non-participating children.

5. Why Early Literacy? 35% of US children entering kindergarten lack the necessary language skills needed to learn to read Children who live in print-rich environments and who are read to during the first years of life are much more likely to learn to read on schedule Only 48% of parents in the US read to their children daily Parents of children living in poverty lack the money, background and access to quality books for their children

6. Toledo Public Schools Grade/Percent Passing Reading Proficiency 3 rd Grade/65.6% 5 th Grade/54.8% 8 th Grade/47.5% 10th Grade/77.9% (2009)

7. How Reading Aloud Helps Little Brains Develop Fosters language development Promotes reading skills Prepares children for school success Motivates children to love books Promotes snuggling and other positive interactions! (emotional benefits)

9. Early Literacy “What children know about reading and writing before they actually learn to read and write”.

11. Two 6-month olds, Two Families Family #1 Literacy rich environment Baby/adult books, magazines, computers, newspapers Vocabulary rich conversation, book sharing, Kindergarten: expanding vocabulary, letter recognition 4 th grade – likely on target Family #2 No books in the home Background TV on at all times Parents don’t read for pleasure Kindergarten: learning how to deal w/books, behind on language skills/vocabulary 4 th grade – likely poor readers.

12. SO…if every child is read to daily… More children will be ready for school … Fewer children will have difficulty in school …More will have success in school. Fewer children will drop out of school. Fewer children will abuse drugs/alcohol. Fewer children will become teen parents. More children will move out of poverty.

13. The Foundation of Early Literacy Print Motivation -being interested in and enjoying books Print Awareness – creating environments full of print Vocabulary – knowing the names of things Letter Knowledge – recognizing letters and sounds in print and in verbal language Narrative Skills – being able to describe things and events and tell stories. Phonological Awareness - Being able to hear and play with smaller sounds in words.

14. Toledo Area Early Literacy Reach Out and Read, UT Dept. of Pediatrics Toledo Lucas County Library Read For Literacy – “Creating Young Readers” WGTE Early Learning Help Me Grow United Way

16. Reach Out and Read of Northwest Ohio The University of Toledo Department of Pediatrics 18 sites locally Hospital based clinics, health dept. clinics, private physician offices 12,000 children annually 24,000 new books Hundreds of gently used books Coordinating community early literacy efforts at local programs such as Help Me Grow, Polly Fox Academy, and Lucas County DD Provides early literacy training for Jobs and Family Services home-based and center-based providers.

17. Lori LeGendre Program Director Reach Out and Read of Northwest Ohio University of Toledo Department of Pediatrics 3120 Glendale, Mail Stop 1202 Toledo, Ohio 43614-5809 Phone: 419-383-4007 Fax: 419-383-6389 Email: Lori.LeGendre@utoledo.eduLori.LeGendre@utoledo.edu

18. How You Can Help Promote early literacy and “sharing books” among family, friends and work contacts. Donate new or gently used books to local early literacy programs. Conduct book drives at places of employment or worship. Volunteer at local early literacy programs. Make a $$ donation to support the purchase of books for young children.