“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglass

There is a strong, positive relationship between childhood literacy and health outcomes in adulthood. Reading proficiency by third grade is a significant predictor of high school graduation and career success. Even before the 2019 coronavirus pandemic, approximately two-thirds of children in the United States and 80% of those living below the poverty threshold failed to develop reading proficiency by the end of third grade.[1] Promoting literacy—and the health literacy that comes with it—has been shown to serve as a protective factor that can help children to achieve longer, healthier lives.[2] Reading and other literacy skills, including storytelling, is also good for a child’s physical and mental health.

On April 21, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) workgroup hosted a World Book Day early learning and literacy event with the theme, “Read Well, Live Well: Empowering Health through Literacy” at Children’s National Hospital Costco Wholesale Atrium. The event aimed to highlight the strong connection between literacy and health for patients, families and staff connected to Children’s National Hospital. Launched by UNESCO, the first World Book Day was celebrated thirty years ago on April 23 and continues to be recognized across the world on this date.

The event was attended by more than 100 patient families and staff to celebrate literacy and the joy of reading through interactive activities, guest readers and a resource fair. We send our appreciation to our colleagues and community organizations who contributed to the success of this event and are passionate advocates for promoting literacy in the community! This event was organized by Eiman Abdulrahman, Courtney Dennis, and Julia DeAngelo with support from ECE workgroup members, Child Life and Integrated Care Services team members, and the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center education team.

World Book Day Activities

• The Early Childhood Education workgroup disseminated books, reading resource lists and had interactive favorite books activity. Thank you to Safe Kids Worldwide and Dr. Jonathan Zember for donating copies of their books, Clifford Takes a Ride and Xrays and Art: Anatomy ABCs!
• Torine Creppy with Safe Kids Worldwide read Clifford Takes a Ride book in the Seacrest Studio. Clifford the Red Dog greeted guests in attendance.
• The Patient Family Library, animal visitation and pet therapy team from Child Life and Integrated Care Services, and the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center education team read books to children.
• Science Journeys at Children’s National hosted a STEM-focused literacy activity. The program brings health curriculum to patients and their families at Children’s National, supporting their academic and personal development while hospitalized.

Children’s National Hospital’s Community Affairs Team at World Book Day

Community Organizations Resource Fair

• Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy promotes access to resources to build a stronger, more equitable America through literacy. barbarabush.org/
• DC Public Library is the public library system for Washington, D.C. The system includes 26 individual libraries including MLK Jr. Memorial Library, DCPL’s central library. dclibrary.org

• DC Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education is a confidential, neutral, informal and independent conflict resolution resource available for families, schools, and organizations with concerns regarding equitable access to public education. https://educationombudsman.dc.gov/

• DC Special Education Hub is committed to helping families understand special education in the District of Columbia by connecting them with the tools, information, and support they need to make informed decisions to guide their child’s learning. https://specialeducation.dc.gov/

• Dyslexia for Black Children’s mission is to eliminate the amplified inequities for Black children experiencing unaddressed dyslexia and related learning disabilities. org

• Reach Out and Read strengthens all families with young children through guidance from medical clinicians about nurturing relationships through shared reading. https://reachoutandread.org/

• Reading Universe is produced by WETA, the flagship PBS station in DC and gives educators clear, practical guidance on how to teach reading and writing. org

• The Reading League believe All Children Deserve to Learn to Read, and All Teachers Can Learn to Teach Them. org

• StoryBook Treasures is a non-profit organization with the goal of providing books and reading materials to promote literacy and education to ALL children. org.

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) workgroup was launched in 2023 to build a stronger ECE community and strengthen connections between ECE and our hospital as part of our 2022-2025 Community Health Improvement Plan. To learn more, visit childrensnational.org/CHAI.

Additional Literacy Resources:

• Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart!
• Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice: Policy Statement | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics

REFERENCES

[1] Fiester, L. Annie E. Casey Foundation. Early warning special report executive summary. Available at: https://assets.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/AECF-Early_Warning_Full_Report-2010.pdf. Accessed April 21, 2025.

[2] Rivera, V. Yale School of Medicine. How Reading and Storytelling Can Improve a Child’s Health. Available at: https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/how-reading-and-storytelling-can-improve-a-childs-health/. Accessed April 21, 2025.