The Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) at the University of Michigan–Dearborn is assisting the Henry Ford Health System with the implementation of a reading program at its Fairlane Clinic site. The clinic is participating in the Reach Out and Read Program. Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. The program builds on the relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children ranging in age from 6 months through 5 years.
Research has shown that children entering kindergarten after participating in this program are better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge over their peers. Medical professionals incorporate Reach Out and Read's evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children, focused in low-income communities. For more information, see http://www.reachoutandread.org
Using funds obtained through a grant from the Michigan Education Association, the SMEA will be providing the clinic with bookshelves, beanbag chairs, and wall murals. In addition, the SMEA has been collecting books since December 2011 and now has more than 120 children’s books to donate to the program at the Fairlane Clinic.
Please join me in congratulating the SMEA for undertaking this important community service project. Through their efforts the members of the SMEA are helping young children and their families establish a strong basis for lifelong learning and academic success.
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