ho would have thought that a visit to the pediatrician could be so much fun? Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell had to see this for herself, visiting Winthrop Pediatric Associates where pediatricians have established the national literacy program called Reach Out and Read.

During every well-child visit, pediatricians give patients a new, age-appropriate book, encouraging parents to get their children in the habit of reading at an early age.

Assemblywoman O'Connell spent some time with two of the doctors, a volunteer and several children, reading and sharing her own joy of books while pledging her support of funding through New York State. The children in the waiting area flocked around her as she read from one of the classic storybooks.

Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell (center) and volunteer, Ann Kutch (right), read to some of the children in the waiting room of Winthrop Pediatric Associates as part of Winthrop's Reach Out and Read program. Drs. Indira Bhagat (left) and Bryson-Brockmann (second from left) look on.

"Reading aloud to a child at an early age fosters positive relationships between the parent and the child," stated William Bryson-Brockmann, Ph.D., Chief of Behavioral Pediatrics at Winthrop. "Reading to children has also been shown to help in positive language development.

Research has proven that children who are read to have better expressive and receptive language skills. When started at an early development stage, reading often becomes one of a child's favorite activities, fostering positive reading skills that will benefit them throughout their early developmental years and into adolescence."

Winthrop's Reach Out and Read program was initiated in November of 2001 and has since expanded to satellite offices in Hempstead and Wyandanch. For more information on the literacy program or to find out how you can become involved, either through a book donation or as a volunteer reader, call 516-663-4432 or 877-559-KIDS.