American Academy of Pediatrics – California Chapter 3

AAP-CA, Chapter Three is dedicated to achieving optimal health (physical, mental and social) for all children (infants, children and adolescents) in San Diego and Imperial Counties, and to supporting the role of its membership in achieving this. AAP-CA3 partners with Reach Out and Read to operate Reach Out and Read San Diego. Reach Out and Read's mission is to prepare America's youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals incorporate Reach Out and Read's evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children. The program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities. Families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills, better prepared to achieve their potential.