Reach Out and Read is a language and literacy development program for children 6 months to 5 years.

Through the program a pediatrician works closely with parents to support children’s language and literacy development. In the Coachella Valley, Reach Out and Read is a collaborative partnership between John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation and the resident Pediatrician at the Foundation’s Healthy Families Clinic.

Reading aloud is one of the most important things parents can do to help their children learn. A love of books opens up a new world of discovery and words to their children. Families served by the program at the Clinic, are more likely to read together more often and their children enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge over their peers.

Here is how it works

At each check-up, from 6 months to 5 years, the Clinic pediatrician gives each child a new age-appropriate book to take home. The books are high quality and given in both English and Spanish.

The doctor also discusses with each parent the importance of sharing books with their child and gives them helpful hints about reading to their child.

Through Reach Out and Read, each child will start kindergarten with a collection of books for parents and their children to enjoy many hours of reading together.