Nationwide Children’s Hospital incorporates reading literacy into routine visits

As childhood literacy rates decline across the United States, Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, is stepping up with an innovative approach — conducting reading screenings in pediatric clinics. The hospital has begun screening children’s literacy skills starting at age 3 during routine pediatrician visits, with the goal of catching reading struggles early and guiding parents on how to support their children’s development. The urgency behind this initiative arose as more than 63% of kindergarteners across Columbus City Schools were behind on language and literacy skills during the 2024–2025 school year, according to state kindergarten readiness assessment data. Sara Bode, medical director of school-based health at Nationwide Children’s, sees the pediatric setting as a natural and powerful place to intervene. “They are all doing developmental screenings, they’re all talking to parents repeatedly, so this is an opportunity,” said Bode.

The hospital implemented literacy screenings in about half of its 13 clinics, assigning a dedicated literacy coordinator. Since the program launched in 2022, more than 2,400 screenings have been conducted. The screenings are not designed to diagnose learning disabilities like dyslexia, but rather to identify areas where children could benefit from additional support. Each visit also gives coordinators a chance to model literacy activities that families can practice at home. “When we're doing the screenings, families are kind of concerned that their kids don't know certain things and it’s not necessarily about that piece of it,” said Carneshia Edwards, lead kindergarten readiness coordinator. By meeting families where they already are, Nationwide Children’s Hospital is turning routine checkups into a place of support for lifelong learning.

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