INDIANAPOLIS — Families and children of all ages are invited for a celebration of language and literacy in support of Reach Out and Read Indiana during the community “Reach Out and ReadIN Children’s Day” on Sat., April 28 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St. This free event will feature celebrity guest readers, music, arts and crafts, and opportunities to win prizes and help build the home libraries of at-risk preschoolers.
The non-profit Reach Out and Read is dedicated to giving the youngest children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read together. Medical professionals incorporate the organization’s evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and providing developmentally-appropriate books to children.
The “ReadIN” at Central Library will support Reach Out and Read programs at various pediatric clinics throughout Central Indiana. It will feature Grammy-nominated artist José-Luis Orozco performing a family concert at 11 a.m. in Central Library’s Clowes Auditorium. In the Library’s Learning Curve, there will be Crouching Tigers classes, storytelling by Deborah Asante, face painting, magic presentations, performances by local youth, and an appearance by Clifford the Big Red Dog. Throughout the day, families can win prizes by reading aloud.
Reach Out and Read is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a proven intervention that delivers results and is supported by numerous independent, published research studies. During the preschool years, children served by Reach Out and Read score three to six months ahead of their peers on vocabulary tests. These foundational language skills help start children on a path to success when they enter school.
For more information, call 317-275-4099 or visit wwwreachoutandread.org/Indiana.
