KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Recognizing that health has a strong foundation in literacy, Public Health - Seattle & King County will conduct events at clinics this week designed to teach parents about the relationship between health and literacy and to engage children in health-related reading activities. Improving child literacy is a goal of Public Health since education and literacy are strongly tied to good health.
"Reading to children strengthens family bonds and leads to positive health outcomes, " said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "And on a basic level, many residents of King County may not have the reading skills to correctly follow directions on medicine labels."
The Public Health clinic events this week focus on children, since introducing children as young as just a few months old to reading has significant impact on literacy, brain development and academic success. Only 58% of King County parents read to their children on a regular basis
During "Book Week - Book Feast," three Public Health clinics will hold discussions with parents about the importance of reading and give tips on making reading fun. Children will use books and coloring to learn about the food pyramid and the human brain.
"Book Week - Book Feast" will be held at:
| White Center Clinic |
Tuesday, Nov. 19 |
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. |
| Renton Clinic |
Wednesday, Nov. 20 |
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. |
| Federal Way Clinic |
Wednesday, Nov. 20 |
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. |
Parents will learn:
- "Reading time" can take place anytime - at bedtime, on the bus, or waiting for an appointment.
- Children's attention spans are often only a few minutes, which is fine.
- Babies think books are toys and like brightly colored books with thick, chewable pages.
- Babies like you to make funny faces and use silly voices while reading.
- Toddlers like simple stories and rhymes.
- Toddlers like to "help" read the book, using new word they are learning.
- Toddlers can help pick out books and turn pages.
- Preschoolers like more detailed books with plots, especially ones that feature children.
- Preschoolers use questions to ask "why," and to learn about the world.
One of the barriers to family reading may be the lack of access to books. To address that problem, some Public Health clinics distribute free books to children.
At the Eastgate Public Health Clinic, children are encouraged to choose an age-appropriate new book during each pediatric visit. They're asked to write their names on the bookplate inside the book, with their parent's assistance if necessary, to promote ownership of the book.
South King County Public Health clinics are giving new Dr. Seuss Beginning Reader books to children enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children's nutritional program at the Renton, White Center, Federal Way and Auburn clinics. Gently used children's books are also available in waiting areas for families to keep. Children's librarians from the King County Library System visit several of the clinics each month, where they hold story times.
The books are donated to Public Health by First Book and by the Page Ahead Children's Literacy Program. Public Health's literacy programs are also supported by King County's Children and Family Commission and the King County Library System.
For more information about First Book, which has donated over 10,000 books to Public Health for distribution in South County clinics visit: www.firstbook.org
For more information on the Page Ahead Children's Literacy Program, which has donated new books for distribution during pediatric visits at Eastside Public Health, go to: www.pageahead.org
For more information on Children's Book Week visit:
www.cbcbooks.org/html/book_week.html
