What We DoThe first five years of life offer a critical window for learning, with rapid brain development that does not occur at any other time. Many children, especially from low-income families, are not read to from birth. Since 1991, fifteen peer reviewed studies have demonstrated that our program model yields significant positive literacy outcomes. Reach Out and Read's participating parents are up to 10 times more likely to read aloud regularly with their children.
Why We Do ItReach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization that trains and supports medical providers who give books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud at well-child exams. Since 2001, the goal of Lancaster County Reach Out and Read has been to ensure that healthcare providers give literacy related advice and children's books as routinely as immunizations at pediatric check ups; both are exceptionally important.Reach Out and Read
Lancaster County
About Us
Preparing the region's most vulnerable children for school success.
Our mission is to give young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.
Who We AreReading aloud is not only one of the best activities to stimulate language and cognitive skills; it builds motivation, curiosity, and memory. During regular pediatric visits, new developmentally and language appropriate books are given to children from birth through five years. Parents are supported as their children's first and most important teachers and children are given a foundation for success. Lancaster County Reach Out and Read then continues to provide gently used books to all children that visit participating offices.