Getting books from the doctor will soon be a routine part of regular pediatric checkups.

Haywood Pediatrics recently joined the Reach Out and Read program, in which primary care providers advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving new developmentally appropriate books to children. The program begins at the six-month checkup and continues to age 5. It will be available for all patients at the Clyde and new Canton location at 55 Buckeye Road.  

Research shows that children who participate in the program enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills and have a six-month developmental edge making them better prepared to achieve their potential.