Reach Out and Read now offered children under five during well-child visits at Davidson Pediatrics
Name: Mary Draughn
Title: Program Director
Phone Number: (336)249-6688
Email Address: maryd@partnershipforchildren.org
Lexington, NC- Reach Out and Read integrates reading aloud into pediatric care, providing books and coaching that help every family make reading a part of their daily routine. Smart Start of Davidson County is now funding a new Reach Out and Read site, Davidson Pediatrics in Lexington. Clinicians at Davidson Pediatrics are partnering with Smart Start of Davidson County to introduce this important evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally appropriate books to children during well-child visits.
“We are pleased to offer the program to the children and families at Davidson Pediatrics. Mary Draughn, Program Director at Smart Start of Davidson County said, “Families can expect to start receiving books at their well child visits around mid-September. “
The Reach Out and Read program begins at birth, at every well-child visit and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities. Families served by Reach Out and Read, read together more often, and their children enter school with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills, better prepared to achieve their potential
Smart Start of Davidson County has been funding Reach Out and Read since 2014 at Thomasville Pediatrics and added Thomasville-Archdale Well Child Clinic in 2018. We are excited about adding our first Reach Out and Read site in Lexington. Smart Start of Davidson County funds these programs through mostly grants and donations and fundraising events. If you are local business or just someone who would like to donate towards our early literacy programs please reach out to maryd@partnershipforchildren.org or contact our office at 336-249-6688. For more information about Reach Out and Read visit www.partnershipforchildren.org or www.reachoutandread.org
