TURN A PAGE TOUCH A MIND

WHAT IS TURN A PAGE. TOUCH A MIND®?

Turn a Page. Touch a Mind.®, or TAP-TAM, is based on a simple but powerful premise: encourage parents to read to their children and give them the tools (and books) to do so. Children routinely see their doctors or visit the health department for “well-child” visits and immunizations between the ages of six months and five years. At clinics that participate in TAP-TAM, during each well-child visit, the clinician gives the child a new book and discusses with parents the value of reading aloud daily. Reading promotion as a part of pediatric care has been proved to increase the vocabulary and early literacy skills of young children.

TAP TAM was developed for pediatricians in Kansas by the Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics. With the Hansen Foundation’s support, the program is being expanded to family practice clinics and also health departments in Northwest Kansas. Children in NW Kansas will receive age-appropriate books at both well-child visits and immunization visits at participating clinics.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is partnering with health departments and clinics in each county in our service area to offer the program to all young children in Northwest Kansas. Thanks to the generosity of the Hansen Foundation, there is NO COST for participating clinics in our service area. TAP TAM was developed and is administered by the Kansas Pediatric Foundation. The Hansen Foundation is grateful for this tremendous partnership.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Any clinic or health department located in one of the 26 counties served by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and offers well-child checks or immunizations is eligible to participate.

Interested clinics should email Betsy Wearing, Coordinator of Programs, Communications and New Initiatives at the Hansen Foundation.

FIND A TAP TAM CLINIC

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is grateful to the following community partners who offer Turn A Page Touch A Mind® to the children of Northwest Kansas.