Promoting Literacy in Primary Care – Reach Out and Read and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Did you know that there are two great programs active in our region that are designed to promote reading at home with preschoolers and improve kindergarten readiness?
Reach Out and Read is a nationwide program that brings literacy promotion to primary care! At Reach Out and Read practices, primary care providers discuss the importance of sharing books and reading at home, model reading techniques, and give a new age-appropriate book to take home at well child visits for children from 6 months to 5 years of age. Becoming a Reach Out and Read practice involves an online application, staff training, and identifying resources to purchase books for the program. For more information see Start a Site - Reach Out and Read or this flyer. Being a ROR practice is great fun and brings joy to the daily well child visits!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a free book directly to the home of enrolled children from birth to 5 years, building a great library to promote sharing books with preschoolers at home! Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, any child under the age of 5 years living in Ohio is eligible to receive the free books. Caregivers only need to go online to sign up at Ohio's Imagination Library. Kentucky and Indiana are also developing a state-wide program. Families living in these areas can go online to check availability here. Please consider promoting enrollment in the Imagination Library at your practices. Flyers that have more information and a QR code linked to online registration are available below.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Flyer - Ohio
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Flyer - Ohio (Spanish)
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Flyer - Any State
Kindergarten readiness has taken a big hit recently following the pandemic. Sharing books at home is one of the most effective things that families can do to get their young ones ready for kindergarten. Please consider promoting enrollment in the Imagination Library at your office or even becoming a new Reach Out and Read practice! For more information, contact Kristy High, Literacy Coordinator at Cincinnati Children’s.