May 30, 2012


 

When doctors speak, we listen.The report of Community Action Research Project (CARP) conducted throughout Hastings and Prince Edward counties in 2011/12 shows that when families seek information, services or support, 71.3% turn to their doctor or primary health care provider.Physicians’ words have impact. Studies analyzing Reach Out and Read, a literacy program in medical clinics in the United States, demonstrate that parents who get books and literacy counselling from their pediatricians are more likely to read to their young children, read more often, and provide more books in the home. Studies also show that this program helps improve children’s language skills.(http://www.reachoutandread.org/impact/evidencebase.aspx)Many Ontario physicians and community health clinics are working with community agencies to better support the varied needs of children and their families. One exciting way this is happening in Frontenac and Lennox & Addington counties is through a project called Let’s Read!I asked Let’s Read! committee members to tell us about this project:Susan: In a nutshell, what is Let’s Read!?Deb Nesbitt-Munroe (Early Literacy Specialist with Kingston Literacy & Skills): Let’s Read! is a four-part strategy to promote early language and literacy in the community through early language and literacy information at prenatal clinics; family reading “book nooks” in some clinic waiting rooms; children’s book giveaways by some physicians and nurse practitioners at children’s 18-month well-baby visits; and Toddler Book Bags given to young library patrons containing early language and literacy activities.Susan: What inspired you to target the promotion of children’s literacy through partnerships with the medical community?Deb: Several years ago I read an article that described physicians promoting reading from birth to parents of young children, and prescribing reading. I thought it was an interesting concept. About that same time I attended a Reach Out and Read conference in Boston, and wondered if we could develop partnerships with medical communities in Canada too.Susan: May is Better Speech and Hearing Month. How are speech, hearing, literacy and health connected?Joanne Morrissey (Parent Support Worker with Early Expressions Preschool Speech and Language): Children need to be hearing well to learn speech, language and literacy skills. Sharing songs, words and books with children helps them learn the sounds and words to communicate and understand language. Literacy is a determinant of health for children. Children who are read to from birth live longer healthier lives and develop stronger language and literacy skills. We know that when physicians recommend reading to children, parents increase the amount they read to their children by four to eight times. This increases children’s opportunities to develop the language and literacy skills needed to succeed with learning.Susan: What motivated you to be committed to this project since its inception?Dave and Doreen MacNamara (volunteers): Over lengthy careers in Ontario elementary schools, we specialized in the field of language development and reading. Throughout our interactions with young children, it became crystal clear that parents make a tremendous difference to their children’s successful, lifelong learning. Family time spent listening and speaking with children, encouraging them to enjoy reading, talking about their interests and finding time to respond to them, always reaped high rewards. We continue to believe that learning not only begins at home, but flourishes there as well.Susan: How could businesses, physicians, health professionals, agencies, families or other community members support Let’s Read! in Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington counties?Kristen Watkins (former project coordinator and current volunteer): The primary need is financial. If we fundraised approximately $14,000/year, we could ensure that Newborn Kits continue to be given out through our partners and that clinical teams continue to be able to give out books at the 18-month visit. We continue to look for both corporate and/or private sponsorship to get behind Let’s Read! The benefits to the over-all health and well being of a community are directly linked to literacy rates by Health Canada. It benefits us all to have a literate community.


Susan Ramsay is the Early Literacy Specialist for Hastings, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. You can contact her at 613-354-6318 (ext 32)

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