February 15, 2008

At MGH Revere, families read early, read often

DeLeo reads to children at MGH Revere.

Fourteen young readers enjoyed a special visit Feb. 1, when the Chairman of the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means, State Rep. Robert DeLeo, visited the MGH Revere HealthCare Center to support Reach Out and Read, a youth literacy program. DeLeo read aloud from two books, asking and answering questions along the way to reinforce the importance and value of reading.

Through Reach Out and Read, pediatricians give parents with children between the ages of six months and five years a new book at every regular checkup. MGH Revere is one of 199 sites across the state that participates in Reach Out and Read, which is targeted to low-income and at-risk youth. During appointments, parents learn about the importance of daily reading and receive a new developmentally and culturally appropriate book. MGH Revere provides books to more than 1,320 children each year.

"Our waiting room is like a library," says Roger Pasinski, MD, director of MGH Revere, referring to the dozens of books on display. "There's a huge connection between families reading together and kids' overall verbal and social health." Pasinski thanked DeLeo for his support of MGH Revere throughout the years.
DeLeo praised Reach Out and Read as "a program that works." He added, "To these kids, I'm not the chairman of Ways and Means. I'm just reading them a book, which is something all children should be able to enjoy."

For more information about Reach Out and Read, access www.reachoutandread.org.