July 6, 2010 CONTACT: Karen M. Pitton (734) 996-0864 KPitton1@hfhs.org
Henry Ford Health System physicians encourage children to read
DETROIT - Henry Ford Health System is taking part in a national program aimed at getting children to read more.
Reach Out and Read is a school readiness program through which age-appropriate books are given to children when they come in for their well-child physicals.
The focus now is on what's being called the Summer of a Million Books. Reach Out and Read officials say pediatricians and family physicians at 4,500 hospitals and clinics across the country are participating in the effort to give a new book to 1 million children in need before Labor Day.
Meg Feistel, R.N., who coordinates the reading program at Henry Ford Medical Center-Fairlane in Dearborn, says they gave out 2,500 books to children ranging in age from 6 months to 5 years during the last six months of 2009. "In addition, we've given books to older children, who aren't included in the official program."
As a whole, Henry Ford Health System provided more than 9,000 books to children during the second half of last year.
As part of Henry Ford-Fairlane's effort to encourage reading, Feistel says they keep a supply of children's books in the patient waiting rooms and in the lobby. "We used to have a volunteer who loved to read to the children in the lobby, and the children really enjoyed it. It would be wonderful if we could find another volunteer to do that."
The books come from a variety of sources, including the staff. "Our employees have responded very well when asked to donate children's books," says Feistel. "We have also had bake sales to raise money to buy new books."
Feedback from the parents has been positive. Pediatrician Kathleen Blumer, M.D., says they're very appreciative. "Surprisingly, I've had moms of 6-month-old children tell me, 'What a great idea. This is her very first book.' "
The ability to read well is crucial to a child's success in school, and it's important they begin developing that skill long before they see the inside of a classroom.
Blumer says she makes it a point to discuss with parents the importance of reading to children. "Getting children accustomed to books at a very young age helps get them interested in reading and prepares them for school. But beyond that, it stretches their imaginations, improves their vocabulary and teaches them about sentence and story structure."
Far too many children struggle in school because they don't have much experience with books. It's difficult for them to catch up to their peers, and many continue to struggle as they grow older.
Blumer suggests parents take books along when taking their child anywhere. "Books can help them pass the time when riding in the car or when you're waiting for an appointment."
She says parents should read to their children every day -- and shouldn't neglect their own reading either. "Children learn a lot by watching their parents, which is why parents should model the behaviors they want to see in their children. This extends to reading -- if they see that reading is important to you, they're more likely to want to read as well."
Blumer notes that this can be a problem in homes where one or both parents have difficulty reading themselves. "There are programs available to help adults who are struggling with their own reading skills. We need to find a way to let more people know these programs exist and encourage them to seek help."
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Note: Following is a list of how many books were distributed at each Henry Ford Health System location as part of the Reach Out and Read program.
Total books: Henry Ford Health System / Department of Pediatrics Distributed HFHS Medical Center Ann Arbor 350 HFHS Medical Center Canton 350 HFHS Medical Center Detroit East 328 HFHS Medical Center Detroit Northwest 389 HFHS Medical Center East Jefferson 300 HFHS Medical Center Fairlane 2,500 HFHS Medical Center Lakeside 350 HFHS Medical Center Livonia 328 HFHS Medical Center Plymouth 628 HFHS Medical Center Royal Oak 345 HFHS Medical Center Southfield 256 HFHS Medical Center Sterling Heights 1,320 HFHS Medical Center Taylor 350 HFHS Medical Center Warren 224 HFHS Medical Center West Bloomfield 350 HFHS Medical Center Woodhaven 400 HFHS Medical Center New Center One 350 TOTAL: 9,118
