Reading: A Love Story

In 1989 a group of physicians, nurses, and educators at Boston City Hospital (now part of Boston Medical Center) started a program called “Reach Out and Read” which initially sought to place books in the waiting rooms of pediatric offices. Children could take the books home, the hope being that these free books would plant the all-important reading seed in the minds of children of all ages. Since then, the program has grown and expanded its mission, but the critical idea of linking books to child development and good health is still worth discussing.

Today, as we watch newspapers fail, magazines vanish, and time spent perusing paper books diminishes, parents need to instill in their children the love of a good story. And while words are still being read--whether on a Kindle, blog, email, Twitter, or Facebook posting-- the art of good writing and the role of literature in our society must be preserved.

Reading and your baby

How can you teach your child to cherish the written word? By reading to him right from the start. Even infants enjoy hearing your voice speaking words about simple tales of bunnies, shapes, or fruits. While your baby may prefer tasting the book to actually turning the pages or listening to the story, at least you have introduced him to the act of reading. Books with sensory touch points-those that have soft fur to touch, lemons to smell, or crinkly paper to rustle-are the favorites of infants and toddlers. Even if your toddler can barely sit still to listen to the story- he may be too busy deconstructing your home-he will benefit from hearing the spoken word.

Reading and your toddler

Hearing the human voice greatly helps babies and toddlers learn to talk, and there is nothing like a good story to get a busy toddler’s attention. Reading at night before bed can be a quiet, bonding time between parents and children. And what better way for a child to unwind then to cuddle up in the lap of a parent and hear a good story.

The constant flickering and changing scenes of television shows does not help the short attention spans of children. In fact, there are some who feel television contributes to hyperactivity in children. But being able to sit at circle time in school or with a parent at home to listen to a story is an important marker for child development.

When I think of the many happy moments I have spent in the thrall of a good story-- being transported to another time and place, savoring colorful characters, and being riveted by a good plot-- I can’t think of a greater gift to give to a child than the love of reading.

Dr. Victoria McEvoy graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1975 and is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at HMS. She is the Medical Director and Chief of Pediatrics at Mass General West Medical Group. She has practiced pediatrics for almost thirty years. She has been married to Earl for thirty six years and raised four children. She currently enjoys writing, traveling, reading, almost all sports, and spending time with her two grandsons.

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