Reading Tips & Recommended Books (For Babies/Toddlers)
Aug. 9, 2000
Children learn about the importance of reading from many sources: schools, parents, and children's television programs to name a few.
Now, some Utah kids who are learning how to be healthy, are also learning how to read.
Children in the waiting room at the University of Utah's South Main Clinic in South Salt Lake get a special treat.
While they wait for their immunizations, they know they love listening to literacy volunteer Brian Shirts read.
What they don't know is that being able to read can help them be more healthy.
Dr. Ed Clark/Primary Children's Medical Center Director: "We look not only at their physical well-being, we look at their emotional well-being as well, and their ability to read and love a story is something that will stay with them their entire lives."
The clinic is one of a few places in Utah featuring a program called Reach Out and Read - in which doctors encourage children and their parents to read.
The program is based on the concept that reading can improve health.
Brooke Shirts/Librarian: "Health improves with literacy and it's kind of public health oriented. If you can get kids to read with their families, the parents will see increases also, and the kids are better ready for school."
The South Main Clinic even has a library full of books the kids can take home.
The doctors believe that the message of literacy may be effective coming from them.
Dr. Ed Clark/Primary Children's Medical Center director: "Families will listen to physicians. So we know that the messages we give will be messages that are heeded."
Reading Tips & Recommended Books (For Babies/Toddlers)
