We all know that there are not enough spaces in prekindergarten for every child who needs one. In some states, many children don’t even attend kindergarten. But most children go to the doctor’s office regularly, and that provides an opportunity to promote early literacy. PBS NewsHour this week featured a segment about Reach Out and Read, a program that enlists pediatricians and health care providers to help advance school readiness. The providers give books to children and teach parents the best techniques for engaging their children while reading or talking to them.

Launched 23 years ago, Reach Out and Read now has 5,000 sites in all 50 states and distributes 6.5 million books a year to more than 4 million children, most of them from low-income families. Research shows that the children they work with have an edge over similar kids not involved. The program is also supporting efforts to reduce chronic absence and worked with Attendance Works to produce and distribute this flyer for parents.

Reach Out and Read can be a great partner for our Network Communities. Check here to see if there’s a program near you. If there’s not a local program, think about engaging pediatricians and health care provides on an informal basis.