Reach Out and Read Program

Stony Brook Children’s is an active member of the Reach Out and Read Program, a coalition of 180 early literacy programs held in hospitals and health care centers across the region.

Each year, Reach Out and Read distributes books to more than 250,000 children throughout New York State. There are currently four Reach Out and Read sites on Long Island, three of which are Stony Brook Children's.

Services

The Reach Out and Read program is designed to encourage literacy at an early age and give children a head start when starting school. Participating pediatricians provide children and their parents with new books at each check-up from the age of 6 months through 5 years. They also give parents guidance on promoting literacy and encourage them to read aloud with their children daily.

Research has shown that literacy programs can help children develop stronger language and vocabulary skills so they enter school ready to read, helping to improve school performance and future reading skills-- all of which are vital to their health, growth, and well-being.