Prescribing Books During a Doctor’s Appointment

Parents are used to receiving prescriptions for medication at their children’s doctors’ appointments. But through a program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, they are also being prescribed books.

For more than 20 years, the hospital has been working to increase book access through Reach Out and Read, which partners with primary care providers to encourage families to read together regularly. In 2023 alone, Nationwide Children’s medical providers gave out 48,000 books during regular check-ups.

Research shows low kindergarten readiness levels are associated with poor academic outcomes. In fact, one of Nationwide Children’s Pediatric Vital Signs – metrics designed to measure and improve overall child well-being – is kindergarten readiness.

“Foundational literacy skills are an important component of kindergarten readiness,” said Allison Riggle, MSW, EdD, project manager for Infant and Child Wellness at Nationwide Children’s and coordinator for the hospital’s Imagination Library. “Ohio kindergarten readiness is low – around 36%.”

One of the best ways to get a child ready for kindergarten is to read to them regularly. However, book access is an issue for many families in Ohio.

Reach Out and Read is a national nonprofit program endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The program runs out of several large health systems in Ohio, including Nationwide Children’s.

Providers who partner with Reach Out and Read give families an age-appropriate book at each well-care visit and explain the importance of daily reading with their child.

“You don't have to read the whole book or even exactly what's on the page,” said Dr. Riggle. “Just spending time talking and singing with your child creates early bonding moments and expands their vocabulary.”

All Nationwide Children's primary care clinics participate in Reach Out and Read. Nationwide Children’s Reach Out and Read also partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, another early literacy book access program. As the providers talk to the families about the book they've received, they encourage enrollment in the Imagination Library.

“They are complementary programs,” explains Dr. Riggle. “The doctor essentially prescribes reading along with a program that offers a free book a month sent straight to the child’s home.”

Parents can help their babies reach early developmental milestones by reading to them. Even simply holding and chewing on books can help build motor skills. But according to Dr. Riggle, one of the most important aspects of shared reading is the positive bond it creates between parents and their children.

“Book access provides a bonding opportunity for the child and the caregiver,” says Dr. Riggle. “Research shows that consistent shared reading can create a stronger relationship that can mitigate some adverse childhood experiences and increase a child's resilience.”

Of course, social determinants of health also play a significant role in kindergarten readiness.

“Through Nationwide Children’s Community Wellness efforts, we connect families to the resources they need,” said Dr. Riggle. “It is unreasonable to ask families to prioritize daily reading to their children before ensuring their basic needs for security and stability are met.”

For non-English speaking families, the program’s book supplier, Books by the Bushel – a woman-owned bookstore in Versailles, Ohio – ensures the program has dual-language books in more than a dozen languages.

As the program continues to grow, Dr. Riggle is looking to connect with English as a Second Language partners in the community. The program is also moving towards a state affiliate that will help the program spread to unreached parts of the state.

“It’s not just about book access,” said Dr. Riggle. “It's about the experience that can be created between the parent and child.”

Published October 2024