Medical Center Tackles Summer Learning Loss With Free Reading Kits In SMC

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo Medical Center has wrapped up a new summer program that provided hundreds of young patients with free reading kits designed to help prevent learning loss during school break.

More than 230 Super Summer Learning Kits were distributed to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten patients at five pediatric clinics across the county. The kits included books, letter magnets, blocks and a family activity guide with learning activities parents and caregivers can do at home.

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The kits were distributed at Coastside Clinic, Daly City Health Center, South San Francisco Clinic, Fair Oaks Health Center and San Mateo Medical Center. The program was funded through a donation from the San Mateo County Health Foundation.

"As a pediatrician, there is nothing I love more than seeing a child's delight when I hand them a book," said Dr. Tatum Sohlberg, a pediatrician at Daly City Health Center. "It reinforces our counseling to avoid spending the summer on an iPad or watching TV when we can hand the child an alternative activity that they are excited about."

During routine appointments, pediatric providers introduced the kits to families and shared ideas from the activity guide to encourage continued learning at home.

Research has shown students can lose 20 to 30 percent of the reading progress they make during the school year over summer break, with the greatest impact often falling on children from lower-income families. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers literacy promotion a core part of pediatric primary care.

"I am thrilled to have more tools to help support early childhood education," said Kara Ramos, a nurse practitioner at Daly City Health Center. "I also love seeing patients light up when they get their kit."

San Mateo Medical Center is the county's public hospital and clinic system, serving residents with Medi-Cal and other public insurance while emphasizing preventive care and health education.