Sanford Health Launching new Reading Program for Children in Detroit Lakes

(Detroit Lakes, MN) -- Sanford Health Detroit Lakes Clinic recently launched the Reach Out and Read program to children under five coming in for an annual wellness visit.

Reach Out and Read works with pediatricians and family medicine specialists to provide developmentally appropriate books and coaching to help families with young children make reading out loud together a part of their daily routine.

“Our Sanford providers in Detroit Lakes are excited to introduce this evidence-based model into regular pediatric check-ups,” said Molly Anderson, family medicine physician and chair for this new program at Sanford Health Detroit Lakes Clinic. “By providing books and teaching parents about the importance of reading aloud to young children, we’re further able to support their overall growth and development.”

The Reach Out and Read program begins at the 6-month well-child visit and continues until age five. Families served by Reach Out and Read tend to read together more often and their children enter school with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills, being better prepared to achieve their potential. 

“For the past 30 years, the Reach Out and Read model has fostered parent engagement, literacy, and social and emotional development for millions of children and families nationwide,” said Brian Gallagher, chief executive officer of Reach Out and Read. “We are pleased to offer the program to the children and families at the Sanford Health in Detroit Lakes.”