Reach Out and Read Annual Report 2013-2014

We are pleased to present the Reach Out and Read 2013-2014 Annual Report, which celebrates Reach Out and Read's 25 years promoting early literacy and highlights several of the partners who have supported us along our quarter-century journey.  

Thank you to Boston-based author/illustrator Peter Reynolds for creating the custom illustrations found throughout the report. 

Screen Sense: Setting the Record Straight

Implications for parents and other caregivers:

*        Be thoughtful about how you use media with young children.

*        Set limits on screen time to be sure that children have plenty of time exploring the          real, 3-D world with family and friends.

*        Participate and make screen use interactive, talking about what children are                    seeing, and encouraging them to use their minds and bodies as much as possible

       to maximize learning.

*        Help children bridge the gap between content they are exposed to on screens--              new words and concepts--and their real-life experiences.

*        Be sure that the content reflects the child's everyday experiences. Ideally, the                  program or game should engage children interactively.

*        Avoid having the TV on in the background. Turn the TV off when no one is                        watching.

*        Avoid using screens as part of the bedtime routine.

*        Remove screens from bedrooms to increase quality sleep.

*        Be mindful of and limit your own screen media use when children are present.

Because screen media is now a fact of life for millions of families with young children, expanding our knowledge of how these devices can serve as tools for learning, while mitigating any potential negative effects on young children's development, is imperative. It is also critical that we keep parents informed about what researchers are learning and the implications of screen use with young children. To that end, this resource will be a "living document" that ZERO TO THREE will continue to update as new research findings in this area becomes available. Stay tuned!

Click HERE to read the article in full. 

 Too Small to Fail

Earlier this month, Dr. Amy Emerson of Reach Out and Read Oklahoma was the subject of a Q&A on early literacy, how parents can help their children develop strong language foundations, and why it's critical that we close the word gap. The Q&A appeared on the blog of Too Small to Fail, Hillary Clinton's initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of children ages zero to five, and setting them up for future success. We're proud that Dr. Emerson is part of the broad effort to highlight our work on the national stage. Read the blog post here.

Thank You To Our Supporters! 

Sheri Flandreau, Goddard School Auburn, with her Giving Tree

Thom Mitchell

This is the second year in a row that Thom Mitchell has donated the proceeds from his holiday season whiskey tasting to a Reach Out and Read site in Fall River! Thom is an employee of Microsoft, and all donations are matched by the company, making the whiskey tasting event a great success for Reach Out and Read!

Mary Jones, DAR Lexington Chapter

Once again, Mary plays elf with bags of new and gently used books for sick visits, siblings, and waiting rooms. This major league supporter of ours is a nurse who truly understands the power of a storybook!

Melissa Pincus, CFCE Coordinator, Mohawk Trail Regional School District

Melissa has chosen to support two Reach Out and Read practices in her district, Trailside Health, and West County Physicians, Shelburne Falls, with CFCE grant funds.  We very much appreciate her support in engaging these sites with Reach Out and Read, and her contribution to the book gap for these practices!