The Children’s Clinic announced a partnership with Target this week in recognition of the clinic’s efforts to sustain and expand its Reach out and Read Program. The grant of $5,500 will be used to purchase books for the clinic’s four designated Reach Out and Read Community Clinic sites and will provide a minimum of 2,500 books to disadvantaged children in the greater Long Beach and Lakewood areas where many Target guests live and work.
Reach Out and Read (ROR) addresses the barriers that keep children from entering school unprepared to learn. The mission of Reach Out and Read (ROR) is to make literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care so that children grow up with books and a love of reading.
Pediatricians are trained in the theories of early literacy development and specific strategies to promote literacy in children. During well-child visits they use this knowledge to give parents “anticipatory guidance” about the importance of reading aloud.
Pediatricians give parents concrete and age-appropriate advice about books and reading. Pediatricians also give books to their patients to take home at all pediatric check-ups from six months to five years of age. These books are carefully chosen based on developmental and cultural appropriateness.
Parents learn that reading aloud is the most important thing they can do to help their children love books and to start school ready to learn.
ROR is comprised of the following three components: reading to children in the waiting room, educating physicians-in-training how to promote literacy in their future pediatric practices, and giving children a developmentally and culturally appropriate book to take home and keep during their well-child visits. Oftentimes, this is the first book the child receives.
The clinic’s program extends beyond the walls of the clinic, directing parents on how to read to their children at home as well. By promoting early literacy through this ongoing reading program, The Children’s Clinic is helping to improve the quality of life for these children and their families.
“Our staff, the families we serve and especially the children are grateful to Target for their willingness to partner with us. They are truly making a lasting difference in the lives of those less fortunate,” said Maria Chandler, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, The Children’s Clinic, Serving Children and Their Families.
This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts and safe families and communities. Today that translates to $3 million every week.
“At Target, we are making a real difference every day through our grant-making program,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with The Children’s Clinic, Serving Children and their Families as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work.”
