Born to Read was developed in response to research showing that human brain development occurs in the very earliest months and years of children's lives. When children learn to read before beginning school, they dramatically reduce their risk of failing, dropping out, and falling into poverty.

Through a partnership with TUW, the Charleston County Public Library, and the Friends of the Library, MUSC sends every new mother home with a book bag filled with books, information and resources to help their babies' healthy development. Volunteers from the library talk to mothers about the importance of reading to children - even infants and babies - and demonstrate how best to do it.

Read how it works for one family.

Born To Read is an especially critical need in the Lowcountry, where:

• 30% of high school students drop out.
• 44% of 25-39 year-olds are insufficiently literate for most entry level jobs.

This program is part of a nationwide movement to increase early literacy that began in 1995. The National League of Cities has identified Born to Read as one of three kinds of services that every city should support for healthy and successful children.