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Reach Out and Read programs!
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"People only learn through two things. One is reading and the other is association with smarter people."
-Will Rogers
Do a petite Harvard Professor and giant NBA star having anything in common? Turns out, when it comes to reading and young children, they do! The first week of August was busy for us with the Starting Strong Conference, and Family Fun Day with Martell Webster. As I look back, a few things jumped out, and these two folks were front and center.
I knew we were in for a treat when I saw that Dr. Nonie Lesaux, Professor of Education at Harvard, was keynoting at Starting Strong. I met her a few years ago in Boston when she presented at a national Reach Out and Read conference. This month, I was especially taken by her emphasis on early language development as a precursor to reading skills, and the strong connections with social-emotional development. When it came to the practical applications she spoke about using "read aloud" books that are engaging to kids, but also have important vocabulary words, along with story elements which demonstrate social-emotional interactions. Then an interactive story time, and its follow up connections with everyday experiences, can help teach all of these elements in an integrated way.
Now flash forward to Martell Webster sitting on a giant bean bag reading Corduroy (Don Freeman) to a group of kids who had just finished a giant water balloon game at the Seattle Center. He masterfully engaged the group, asking questions and interacting with them via the story. The kids were laughing, talking, listening, and clearly enthralled. When Martell finished the book he emphasized to them that they are "just right as they are," just as an imperfect Corduroy with a missing button was still the chosen toy. He then added that friends can also sometimes help make us even better, as Lisa did when she made Corduroy more comfortable by sewing on a new button. Martell provided a real life example of using story time (in the sunshine!) to get kids excited about reading, while connecting to the kids individually, and around important social-emotional issues. Pretty cool!
Organizational excellence is one of Reach Out and Read Washington's strategic goals, providing the foundation that enables our systems and program work to improve outcomes for children and families. We are pleased to let you know that Reach Out and Read has a top rating with Charity Navigator! Read on to learn more about the significance of this accomplishment.
We wish you and any kids in your life a smooth transition into the back-to-school season. In the meantime, there is still some time to enjoy summer, and of course another book!
Jill Sells, MD and the Reach Out and Read Washington Team
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REACH OUT AND READ IS A GREAT INVESTMENT
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Reach Out and Read Receives Charity Navigator 4 Star Rating, the highest available. Donors want to know their money is well spent. To help people find causes to support, Charity Navigator, "America's leading independent charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the Financial Health and Accountability and Transparency of 6,000 of America's largest charities."
View Reach Out and Read's 4-star rating report at Charity Navigator.
Reach Out and Read Washington State is a regional office of the national Reach Out and Read organization, headquartered in Boston. Donate directly to support our work in Washington, knowing that each dollar that you invest will immediately leverage $8 in services provided by our statewide network of doctors and medical practices. Thank you for your support!
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BASKETBALL AND BOOKS AT FAMILY FUN DAY
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Photo courtesy Steve Shay Photography
Washington Wizard NBA star Martell Webster and his family hosted a great day for kids at the Seattle Center. Wanting to give back to the community where he was raised, Martell returned to the Seattle area for a fun day for families. Reach Out and Read was pleased to be there to help make reading a special part of the day. Martell enthralled us all with a story, and then we had a book giveaway, asking parents and older kids to sign a pledge to read regularly with young kids.
"I chose to partner with Reach Out and Read Washington because I saw their program was extremely successful in reaching thousands of kids in our community, and they are passionate about giving each child the best possible future," said Martell. "I have three young kids of my own and we love reading together, and I enjoy talking with families and kids about what a powerful tool reading is in life. It was wonderful having Reach Out and Read's team join us at our Family Fun Day, and helping us provide hundreds of books to kids in need."
To learn more about the power of family, and why he chose a superhero theme for family day, check out this touching, and funny, interview with Martell and his wife, Courtney, on King 5's New Day Northwest--NBA star Martell Webster's quest to bring families together.
Thanks to Martell and Huston Conti, Executive Director of the Martell Webster Foundation, for all they do to provide great experiences for kids.
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| STARTING STRONG CONFERENCE HAS RECORD ATTENDANCE | |
Pediatrician and literacy expert keynotes tie into Reach Out and Read's breakout session. The Reach Out and Read team enjoyed attending the 5th annual P-3 conference with partners from across the state. It's always fun to come together and hear from experts, both national and local. Many attendees at our breakout session were early elementary teachers who were not familiar with Reach Out and Read, which made for great discussions and new connections.
The Reach Out and Read breakout session was a mixture of presentation, interview, videos and discussions, placing Reach Out and Read in the context of Washington's state and community early learning systems:
- Introduction to Reach Out and Read
- Interview with Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff
- Early Learning Plan and Systems
- Community Partnerships
- Get Involved
- Conversation and Q&A
Some of the most compelling moments came from watching and reflecting on training videos of Reach Out and Read doctors with families. Check out an example of a 5-year visit, and see why the Reach Out and Read program is so powerful, and view the presentation here.
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MUSIC VIDEO FEATURES REACH OUT AND READ PEDIATRICIAN
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I Love It When I Read With My Papi. Given the focus on dads and families this month, and because we had such an enthusiastic response to this video, we're highlighting it again in case you missed it! Dr. Rick Quiles, of Park Pediatrics in Cranston, Rhode Island, addresses literacy and health disparities in a hip-hop song featuring community leaders involved in early learning. Watch the video to learn more about the importance of parents, books, and reading aloud with children in this fun piece from Reach Out and Read Rhode Island.
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REACH OUT AND READ WASHINGTON STATE ON FACEBOOK
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Follow Reach Out and Read Washington State on Facebook for early literacy news, reading tips, and brain research information. Please LIKE us and suggest our Facebook page to your friends to help us spread our message about early literacy. Thanks!
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ABOUT REACH OUT AND READ WASHINGTON STATE
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Reach Out and Read helps prepare children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Our evidence-based proven program leverages the influence of children's doctors and makes literacy a standard part of well-child checkups from ages 6 months through 5 years. Reach Out and Read supports parents as their child's first teacher and helps children be ready for kindergarten.
Through 158 programs in 31 counties, 1,200 medical providers serve an estimated 90,000 children and their families across Washington. Reach Out and Read Washington State is a Regional Office of Reach Out and Read, Inc., a national not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email - washington@reachoutandread.org
Telephone - 206-524-3579
Fax - 206-524-4768
Address - 155 NE 100th Street - Suite 301, Seattle WA 98125
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