Easton Is Born To Read

Lori Kilner-Khouri and her husband Stephen thought they could start reading to their new son when he reached about six months of age.

But before they could take Easton home from the hospital, volunteers from Born to Read showed them how the sooner they began reading to him the better and faster he'll learn and develop intellectually.

By a year-and-a-half, Easton was a spry little fellow with an insatiable appetite for books.

Born To Read introduces books, reading and learning into every household in the region that has young children. MUSC volunteers visit "newborn" families in the hospital shortly after birth to encourage parents to read to their babies from the beginning of life. About 1,000 families a year participate in Born to Read.

The program is a partnership among the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston County Public Library, Friends of the Charleston County Library and Trident United Way. It also provides books and materials on child development and community resources.

Families throughout the tri-county area who have participated in Born to Read report their babies have been responsive to early reading and they have created a culture of learning at home.