Based on the 2014 American Association of Pediatrics policy statement, Literacy Promotion: an essential component of primary care pediatric practice, the library has installed an exhibit addressing the benefits of reading to young children. Pediatrics has embraced the fact that child development and behavior are crucial components in clinical practice, stating that reading aloud to children from birth lays the essential foundation for later language development and school success. They have identified many benefits from stimulating brain development to building language, literacy, and socioemotional skills.

A program called Reach Out and Read (ROR) was created to promote reading to families in a clinical setting. The exhibit explores how this program has benefitted families, and delves into how Child Life Specialists utilize bibliotherapy in a hospital setting to connect with children and families when they visit. “For children, books have the power to help shine a light on what the child may be experiencing, can normalize experiences and feelings, can offer hope, and can be a much needed escape.”

In the final panel of the exhibit, we learn about how children’s books and stories can cross boundaries and encourage different ways of seeing the world.

Come check out this fascinating new exhibit!

Questions? Contact Kate Bright at 656-0695.