« 2nd suspect in Providence murder surrenders | Today | Johnston police call in sick this morning »

August 29, 2007

The pediatrician's prescription: A dose of reading

In the future, the doctor might prescribe something new for your child: a book.

If it becomes law, a five-year $85-million proposal written by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, would have doctors and nurses give parents a children's book to take home at every wellness visit. Doctors would also advise parents it's important to read aloud to your children and give age-appropriate reading tips.

The Prescribe a Book Act -- S-1895 -- which is cosponsored by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, would set up a federal pediatric early literacy grant initiative based on the long-time Reach Out and Read program.

Reed's office said in a news release that Reach Out and Read is a national, nonprofit children’s literacy program that focuses on children at greatest risk: those 6 months to 5 years old living at or near poverty level.

Each child in Reach Out and Read begins kindergarten with a home library of up to 10 books and a parent who has heard at every well-child visit about the importance of books and reading.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 2:13 PM | Permalink

Comments

Post a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)