When Mothers On The Bus Say ‘I Love You': Two-Generational Solutions To Health

One day in clinic I gave a three-year-old patient a book at the beginning of her well child visit. The book came to me through Reach Out and Read, a national program where clinicians give books to children during each of their well child visits from ages six months to five years. My patient smiled a toothy grin, took the book, and said "Wheels on the Bus!" Her mother smiled and watched as the girl opened the book and started to sing. The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round. To the lovely background music the mother and I talked about her daughter's development, eating habits, and concerns. I performed a physical exam. The girl was growing well, and the exam was normal. The people on the bus go up and down, up and down, up and down. The mother and I discussed child care, how to keep her daughter safe and healthy in the summer, and ways to channel her blossoming personality. The girl was cheerful throughout the visit. The mothers on the bus say, "I love you, I love you, I love you." On their way out the door, when the mother told her daughter to thank me for the book, the girl tucked her chin into her chest, looked up, and thanked me with an impish smile. In many ways, the visit could not have gone better. Except that the book I had given her was "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and not "Wheels on the Bus." I had given her "Wheels on the Bus" at the last visit. I am sure the patient didn't know this and I am guessing her mother didn't either. M...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Innovations in Care Delivery Child Development Children Language Skills Literacy Nonmedical Determinants Primary Care Reach Out and Read SDH Source Type: blogs