The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents and caregivers to read aloud with their newborns and young children as an opportunity to foster loving, nurturing relationships during a critical time of brain development, and recommends that pediatricians support families with guidance and books at well-child visits, according to an updated policy statement. The policy statement, "Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice," marks the first update in AAP recommendations since 2014. Given the extraordinary amount of research in this area, an accompanying new technical report reviews the evidence for shared reading as a way to strengthen and nurture relationships, stimulate brain circuitry and create early attachments.
"Reading together with young children weaves joyful language and rich interactive moments into the fabric of daily life," said Perri Klass, MD, FAAP, lead author of both statements. "As a pediatrician and parent, I suggest making books your bedtime routine, using them to connect and wind down after a busy day, and generally building them into life with a young child. It will strengthen the bonds that hold you together, and build your child's developing brain.
" The policy statement, written under the auspices of the AAP Council on Early Childhood, will publish on Sunday, Sept. 29 in Pediatrics online during the AAP 2024 National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, FL. Claudia Aristy and Dr.
Klass will discuss the policy duri.