Legacy’s Little Readers

“You can find magic wherever you look.  Sit back and relax, all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss

At Legacy, we believe kids should be healthy in body and mind, and our pediatric providers are treating both when our youngest patients (6 months – 5 years old) come in for well- child visits. In addition to the physical checkup, families leave with a free book and a “prescription to read.” We’re doing this through Legacy’s Little Readers.

When Legacy providers talk about the importance of reading aloud with youngsters, parents listen. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, the connection between literacy and child development is an essential part of health care. Reading and talking with young children from birth builds new connections in the brain, stimulating early language learning and motivation to learn. Through Legacy’s Little Readers, our pediatricians and nurses gave away more than 7,300 books in the last year, building much-needed home libraries for our patient families.

Two of our young patients, sisters Ive and Lucia now look forward to going to see the doctor, because they know they’ll get books. “I’m happy the books are in English and Spanish,” says their mother, Delmy. “I can read to them in both languages. They love it, and it helps them practice their words.”

Partnerships with H-E-B and the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation are allowing us to take our “prescription for reading” out to the waiting room before appointments. Little Readers Corners at our pediatric clinics offer a fun, friendly place to sit and read with family or a Legacy volunteer.

On Dr. Seuss’ 100^th birthday, March 2^nd, Legacy participated in reading to children throughout all of their pediatric locations as well as providing one book to each child. We gave away 360 books total.

We look forward to seeing more Little Readers in 2016, and welcome your participation! Check out the Little Readers initiative here or click here to make a contribution.

 

Post by Lisa Foronda, Senior Director of Investor Communications

Photos – Legacy patients enjoying books from Little Reader’s program

Photo – H-E-B Houston President Scott McClellan volunteers at a Little Readers Corner