Hospital's 10-Minute Reading Tests Catch Early Literacy Gaps in Toddlers
A new initiative by Nationwide Children's Hospital is tackling early literacy gaps in young children. Starting at age three, kids now receive reading assessments during routine doctor visits. The programme aims to identify struggles before they affect school performance—especially as over 63% of Columbus kindergarteners entered school behind in language skills this year.
The hospital's screening tool takes about 10 minutes and checks key reading abilities. It's used in clinics near schools where kindergarten readiness scores are lowest. After each test, families receive a personalised literacy plan and a kit with activities to practise at home.
Coordinators follow up with parents and connect children to early education support if needed. The approach comes as national data shows only 30% of fourth graders now read proficiently—a decline of four points since 2019. Research also confirms that children who start kindergarten behind often stay behind in later years.
The programme builds on the hospital's work with Reach Out and Read, which screened over 5 million children nationwide in 2023. While exact 2024 figures for this specific initiative aren't yet available, the focus remains on early intervention to improve long-term outcomes.
The screenings provide a direct way to spot reading delays before school begins. Families get tailored resources and ongoing support to boost their child's skills. With many young learners already facing challenges, the hospital's efforts target a critical window for intervention.
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