REACH OUT AND READ ALABAMA OFFERS KIDS FUN AT THE DOCTOR

Children often dread going to the doctor, but one local initiative is working on changing their perception.

Reach Out and Read Alabama gets pediatricians to prescribe books during each visit for patients ages 6 months to 5 years old.

Today, West Alabama Pediatrics in Northport hosted their dinosaur reach out and read kickoff. Their staff and Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon spend time reading to kids in the waiting room before their doctors’ visits.

Help Me Grow Regional Coordinator Arkeshia Thomas said the program has just one focus: exposing children to reading early.

West Alabama Pediatrics is one of six Tuscaloosa practices implementing Reach Out and Read.