Fostering a Love for Books from Birth
Edgewood is proud to launch Edgewood Reads, an initiative that integrates books into well-child visits and promotes early literacy. Through this program, children receive an age-appropriate book at each developmental checkup from six months to five years of age, and parents receive guidance and resources on fostering a reading habit at home.
“As pediatricians, we see families regularly throughout a child’s early years, and this gives us a unique opportunity to encourage reading from the start,” said Dr. Kenny. “By giving parents a book during each checkup, we hope to help families create moments of connection that foster lifelong learning.”
Edgewood Reads is inspired by the U.S.-based Reach Out and Read program, which integrates literacy into pediatric care by providing books and guidance to families during well-child visits. This evidence-based initiative encourages parents to read aloud and engage in literacy-rich interactions with their children, fostering early brain development and language skills. Studies show that reading together strengthens parent-child bonding and lays a critical foundation for school readiness by improving vocabulary, comprehension, and attention skills. Through Edgewood Reads, we aim to support families in building these essential habits and ensuring that every child has access to the lifelong benefits of reading together. Edgewood Reads also includes a partnership with the Bermuda Youth Library to support families in establishing early literacy habits. As part of this collaboration, Edgewood encourages families visit the library and participate in their 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge, which promotes family bonding by encouraging caregivers to read together daily.
