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Joy
Watrous is sharing her new book with, from left, Dr. Shachi Shah, Dr. Nishit
Shah and her mom, Elizabeth Watrous. Dr. Shah gave Joy the book to Joy during
her routine well-child visit.
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WELLSVILLE, NY (July 8, 2020) -- Reach Out and Read is a
national nonprofit organization that integrates reading aloud into pediatric
care by providing children a free book at each routine well-child visit from
birth to age six. And now this wonderful program has come to Allegany County!
With the support of the Jones Memorial Hospital Community
Wellness Committee, Dr. Nishit Shah and Dr. Shachi Shah are the first
pediatricians in Allegany County to incorporate the Reach Out and Read program
into their practice. The Shahs joined
the Reach Out and Read program in March 2020.
By providing books and sharing the power that reading aloud
has on developing brains, the Reach Out and Read program aims at making reading
part of the daily routine for families of all backgrounds and economic means.
“About one-third of young children—and half of children living in
poverty—arrive at kindergarten without the skills that they need to do well in
school,” said Dr. Shachi. “Reading to children helps them develop communication
skills, patience, empathy, and literacy – all vital skills for success in
school and in life.”
At each age-appropriate well-child visit, children are given
a free book. “We also talk to parents about the positive effect reading
together has on childhood development,” said Dr. Nishit, adding that the
program has been very well-received by both children and parents.
Founded in 1989, Reach Out and Read is a network of 6,400
pediatric teams like the Shahs. “More than 80 percent of a child’s brain is
formed during their first three years and early childhood brain development has
lifelong impact.” said Dr. Nishit. “By integrating reading into pediatric care,
we are promoting healthy brain development as well as a strong family bond.”
Children who are read to more often have improved language and listening skills
including recognition of sounds and letters and a wider range of vocabulary.
“Reading also develops a child’s imagination, curiosity, and memory by
transporting them to places and times they have never experienced and enhance
their understanding of the world,” added Dr. Shachi.
Dr. Nishit and Dr. Shachi Shah are accepting new patients
age birth through 18 at the Women & Children Health Center, 127 North Main
Street, Wellsville, NY. To make an appointment, please call the office at (585)
596-2046.
