Shared Reading Strengthens Families
Working to create a world where every child has the relationships and resources to learn and thrive.
In partnership with clinicians, Reach Out and Read leverages the well-child visit, using books and shared reading to support caregivers in fostering early literacy and healthy relationships with infants and young children. The only literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Reach Out and Read annually serves 4.6 million children across every U.S. state.
New CEO Poised to Scale Impact and Strengthen Families
Reach Out and Read has named national leader Dr. Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D., to accelerate our vision to ensure every child has the resources and relationships they need to learn and thrive. With three decades of experience in early childhood, health equity, and nonprofit leadership — and as a military child and second-generation Mexican American who grew up surrounded by books — she brings both professional expertise and personal insight to guide our mission and deepen our impact.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends us
A recent policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics reinforces the importance of shared reading as a critical component of young children’s healthy cognitive, social, and emotional development, starting at birth. It also recommends Reach Out and Read as a universal primary prevention strategy to support the safe, stable and nurturing relationships young children need to thrive.
Study shows Reach Out and Read parents are more likely to read with children daily.
Support for Parents
All children need strong, positive, and nurturing relationships to grow and develop. These parent/caregiver-child relationships often begin at birth and are essential for healthy physical, cognitive, and emotional development. We remain committed to supporting families with young children and our resource library can help you learn more about the benefits of reading aloud together and creating those “moments that matter.”
Reach Out and Read Podcast!
Don’t miss this podcast centered on the belief that children’s books build better brains, better family relationships, and happier, healthier children and societies. Join us as host Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician with a master’s degree in library science, dives into a wealth of varied early childhood health and literacy topics with expert guests examining the many facets of supporting the parent-child relationship as key to early success.
Shaping Brighter Futures
It’s vital that children benefit from reading and other language-rich experiences starting at birth. Reading together furthers language acquisition, promotes brain development, and provides an opportunity for families to build powerful, lasting bonds.
Nurturing Young Minds
At Reach Out and Read, we know that reading aloud together, telling stories, and sharing books help forge a meaningful connection between caregiver and child—they create moments that matter. This is the underpinning of what’s known as Early Relational Health. These positive, language-rich interactions are the foundation for a young child’s healthy development and long-term well-being. By making Reach Out and Read a part of their practice, clinicians have a built-in strategy for working with families to strengthen that essential relationship. As part of our Next Chapter, Reach Out and Read is committed to expanding and strengthening our network and bringing moments that matter to every young child, every family, and every community.