– A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians explain to parents – particularly those from low-income families – the high value of books and the benefits of daily reading to their babies, until at least kindergarten age.
– The authors of the report advise doctors to take the five following specific measures:
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Emphasize to parents that reading to their kids – even infants – builds the “brain circuits to prepare children to learn language and early literacy skills.”
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Guide parents toward reading activities that they and their kids will enjoy.
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Provide books to low-income patients that are “developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate.”
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Use posters, pamphlets and other materials to promote reading, including programs run by public libraries.
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Team up with advocacy groups that promote childhood literacy.
Image: David Rae Morris / Associated Press
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