Please support our uninsured neighbors!
Neighborhood Health is launching our Reach Out and Read program. We are partnering with Old Town Books (Alexandria, VA) to provide sustainable funding for this important early literacy program.
Our Reach Out and Read program will provide new, developmentally and culturally appropriate books to our youngest patients at well child visits starting at 2 months through 5 years old.
Most of the families that
Neighborhood Health serves have very low income and buying books to have at
home may not be possible. Our Reach Out and Read program helps families start a
library in their homes. A scientific study showed that raising a child in a
home filled with books positively impacts their academic success.
Roughly 80% of a child’s brain development occurs during the first three years of life. Experiencing and engaging in language-rich interactions help children develop communication skills, patience, empathy, and literacy—all of which are critical to success in school and beyond. Even for our youngest infant patients, handling books engages their senses, builds their fine and gross motor skills, and creates meaningful associations that support early language development. For our parents, reading together with their child fosters bonding experiences that engage both the child and parent in learning activities while generating feelings of well-being and security within the family.
"I am so excited to help
introduce the magic of reading to my patients and families. I cannot wait to
see the look on my patients’ faces when we hand them their very own book to
take home with them!" - Sophie K. Presny, DNP, Neighborhood Health Pediatric Provider