Why is reading aloud so important and what books are best for reading aloud? That is a good question! November is Family Literacy Month, which is a fantastic time to share ideas demonstrating how families can come together and make reading aloud a priority. Daily, I not only read aloud to my five-year-old daughter, but I also promote literacy at my Storytime events and literacy classes as well. Each time it is different. I notice that there are children who will sit and listen to the stories, children who are listening while playing, children who are close to their caregiver and even children who are holding my hand as I turn the pages. All these children are benefitting from the hearing a story and connecting in their own personal ways. 

Reading aloud keeps families connected and encourages a lifelong love for literacy. Caregivers who read aloud, model the importance of learning and continuing to read throughout life. 

Here are five ways to keep your family reading aloud for years to come!

1. Share a story, even if you do not think they are listening. Spoiler alert, they are!

Your child does not need to sit down on your lap or even right in front of you to enjoy having read aloud time. Children learn and enjoy listening to stories differently, and that is okay. No matter how your child listens to you reading aloud, they are finding their own way to connect with you and the story. 

2. Story tell, even if you feel your child is too old. (Psst. They are not)

Reading aloud to older children is just as important as reading to younger children. It continues to bring connection with their caregiver and family and bring another level of opening conversations about things that are happening in the world around them. 

3. Create fun spaces to connect and read, make it an adventure. 

Here are five favorite places to read aloud for my family:

In a fort we made from all the pillows in the house. 

In the car, while waiting to go into school.

4. Always have books accessible, reading aloud does not just have to happen at bedtime. Remember the five B's.

5. Be available to read every day to your child. Even just 15 minutes will give time for connection and space for learning. 

There are so many amazing books out there to share, here are ten favorites in my household.

Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shereen

What if I Know My Feelings? by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt

The Secret Mermaid Series by Sue Mongredien

That’s Not My Series Series by Fiona Watts

with guest author Sarah LaPrade, Literacy Lady PDX

Family Literacy Month: Reading aloud with your family

In 2019, our Founder, Darius Monsef, rushed his little girl from the bike park to the Pediatric Urgent Care. It was his first experience with a pediatric emergency as a father, and he was terrified. But as Dr. Fish skillfully stitched up his daughter's chin, a wave of gratitude washed over him.  Dr. Fish and his team had transformed an incredibly scary moment into a chance for his little one to be brave.

Being a serial entrepreneur, Darius recognized the immense value and uniqueness of this experience at a clinic that provided urgent care tailored specifically for kids. And so, Brave Care was born with a mission to help every child reach their full potential through excellent and accessible immediate care for the bumps and bugs that are a healthy part of a child’s development.



Brave Care was born with a mission to help every child reach their full potential through excellent and accessible immediate care.

Over the years, fueled by passion and purpose, Brave Care has set out to become the ultimate partner in pediatric care for parents everywhere.  We took what was a single walk in pediatric urgent care clinic in Oregon and expanded into two states, giving us the opportunity and honor to care for over 20,000 kids.  

Our commitment to accessible and affordable care for kids and families grew stronger every day. We found ourselves constantly striving to disrupt and improve pediatric care. Recognizing the need to support our community and provide an alternative to the long waits, high costs, and inadequate facilities of the ER.

We realized just how vital pediatric urgent care is to our families, our hospital partners, and our Primary Care Physician colleagues in the community. We serve as a critical resource for children, ensuring they receive prompt care from our expert pediatric teams. We save parents valuable time and money. While high-quality Primary Care and digital care resources like BlueberryPediatrics.com & SummerHealth.com  are readily available, what's missing in our neighborhoods is urgent care tailored exclusively for kids, staffed with dedicated pediatric teams, and available 365 days a year.

We found ourselves constantly striving to disrupt and improve pediatric care. Recognizing the need to support our community and provide an alternative to the long waits, high costs, and inadequate facilities of the ER.

In this next chapter of Brave Care we are refocusing as the best pediatric urgent care, with walk-in clinics thoughtfully designed by pediatricians and parents, built exclusively for kids. We remain open 365 days a year, including holidays, doubling down on our commitment to caring for sick and injured children when they need us the most. Equipped with on-site x-ray, labs, and medications, we are proud to provide an invaluable resource to the communities we serve.  Moving forward our families will be able to walk into any of our clinics when their kids need care, or save their spot in line on our website Bravecare.com.  We’ve opened up additional visit capacity and are making it simple and easy to get the care your child needs, faster. We want to be the best partner to parents, hospitals, and primary care physicians.

We are filled with excitement for what lies ahead for Brave Care, we are eager to advance our mission and continue adding value to the families we serve, as well as the community partners who share our vision and passion for creating a brighter future of healthcare for our children. 

As we embark on this next phase, our CEO Dr. Gary Gerlacher brings valuable clinical and operations expertise as a pediatrician, having decades of developing successful pediatric urgent care business models, and, most importantly his own experience as a parent. Our founding team has remained as supportive advisors, board members and regular visitors to our clinics with their own kids.

We are filled with excitement for what lies ahead for Brave Care, we are eager to advance our mission and continue adding value to the families we serve, as well as the community partners who share our vision and passion for creating a brighter future of healthcare for our children. As parents ourselves, we understand the fear and anxiety that can arise when our children are sick or injured. At Brave Care, what drives us is the opportunity to turn those scary moments into amazing chances to be Brave.  We extend our heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support over the years, and we eagerly anticipate continuing to be your trusted partner throughout your child's healthcare journey.

A message from Brave Care's leadership on how we're doubling down on providing pediatric urgent care

Expanding access to Pediatric Urgent Care

Mother's Day is a day to celebrate and honor the women who have raised us, cared for us, and loved us unconditionally. We asked several of our Brave Care mothers to share some of their favorite things about being a mom. Here's what they said:

"I love being able to learn as much from my daughter, as I am able to teach her. I really love moments of silliness with just her and I, laughing at everything and nothing, it feeds my soul ❤️" 

"I love seeing the world through my children's eyes. They're so full of creativity, playfulness, laughter and new ideas. It allows me the unique opportunity to slow down, be fully present, and connect through play...something all adults could benefit from!" 

"So many things I love most about being a mom. The hugs, the giggles, the sparkle in their eye but also being their safety net as they grow and evolve. Being a mom just keeps getting better. When you think you couldn't be any prouder, or your heart couldn't possibly be fuller, they inspire you once more. I get to experience childhood all over again, but through their eyes. It's wonderful." 

 “I have the privilege of loving and supporting my children as they grow into whatever and wherever their wildest dreams can take them. They will always look back and see me right behind them, smiling with so much love and pride (and snacks)." 

"Becoming a mother is one of the wildest experiences I have ever had. Most days seem difficult to manage but when my 2-year-old asks me for a hug randomly and gives me a kiss on the cheek it makes the days less difficult. Some highlights are singing along to the Disney channel soundtrack in the car, building tents in the lounge with all of the pillows and blankets we can find, and then cheering and high-fiving when she has done something new/scary or difficult because it means she is becoming a strong independent human."  

"Exploring with Halle and getting to witness what makes her joyous." 

"There are a few things I'm looking forward to about becoming a mom like hearing his coos and giggles and seeing those legs kicking on the outside. I’m excited to relive special moments through his eyes as he discovers the world. My ultimate goal is to guide him in life as best as I can and be someone he’s proud to call mom." 

- Michelle (expectant mother), People Ops

The reflections from some of our Brave Care mothers show the different joys and challenges of motherhood. From watching their children grow and learn new things, to experiencing the unconditional love that comes with being a mother, these reflections remind us of the immeasurable value of a mother's role in a child's life.

It's heartwarming to see how much love and pride these mothers have for their children, and how they cherish every moment with them, no matter how small. As we celebrate Mother's Day, let's take a moment to honor and appreciate all the mothers in our lives for the sacrifices they make, the love they give, and the impact they have on their children's lives.

Thank you to all the mothers out there for everything you do. Happy Mother's Day!

Do something, and do it fast. RECOGNIZE, ACTIVATE, DO. 

Recognize if an infant or child is in trouble and in need of help. Activate help, call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Do, perform high quality CPR. 

In CPR or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), time is very important. When you have an unconscious little one, damage can begin after only a few minutes without oxygen. Acting early and fast can significantly increase the chance of survival. 

Check to see if the infant or child is awake and breathing normally. Tap and shout. 

If not breathing normally or at all, place the child or infant is on their back on a firm flat surface and remove their top or clothing so you can see their chest. 

If you are alone and your cell phone is not close, perform 5 cycles of CPR or 2 minutes (30 compression and 2 breaths = 1 cycle) before calling 9-1-1. 

If your cell phone is near, call 9-1-1 right away and then begin CPR after placing the phone on speaker. 

If there is help, have them phone 9-1-1 and get an AED if available while you begin CPR. 

Place 2 fingers of one hand on the breast bone (just below the infant’s nipple line) and push down 30 times at a depth of 1 1/2 inches. Be sure to let the chest return to neutral position after each compression

Aim for 100-120 compressions per minute. At the end of 30 compressions you will then give 2 breaths. 

For the two breaths, open the airway by using a head-tilt, chin-lift technique. You will want to cover their nose and mouth with your mouth and blow in two breaths over 1 second each. 

Repeat cycles until they become conscious or help arrives. 

Child (12 months to armpit hair (puberty)): 

Place the heel of your hand or two hands stacked (for larger child) over the lower half of breast bone, just below the child’s nipple line. Push down 30 times at a depth of 2 inches. Be sure to let the chest return to neutral position after each compression. 

Aim for 100-120 compressions per minute.At the end of 30 compressions you will then give 2 breaths. 

For the two breaths, open the airway by using a head-tilt, chin-lift technique. You will want to pinch nose and blow into their mouth. Blow in two breaths over 1 second each. 

It should be noted that if the infant or child lost consciousness (become unresponsive) because of a a severe choking obstruction, the following consideration should be made while providing CPR.  When opening the airway to give breaths, each time, LOOK in the throat for the object. If you see the object in their MOUTH, remove it. DO NOT, however do a blind finger sweep as this could lodge the obstruction further. 

If you are in a place that has an AED accessible. You will want to have someone retrieve it fast and use it. An AED or Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can detect an abnormal heart rhythm. For an abnormal heart rhythm it requires a shock of electricity in order for the heart to return back to its normal rhythm. The AED will assess and decide if it is appropriate to provide a shock, with your assistance. 

Is a shock advised? It will tell you this. 
 

Child pads are designed for 8 years and younger.  When in doubt, use adult pads. The pads, will have a photo on them showing where they should be placed on the body. If it is a child and there is only adult pads, place one pad over the heart and the other pad on the child’s back. One pad on top and one of the bottom with the heart in the middle. This will help to be sure that the electricity from the shock, if needed, is sent where it needs to go. 

CPR is something that should be on every parent or caregivers resume. Knowing how and when to respond in an emergency like this and feeling comfortable starting CPR is a skill to be learned. If you would like more information or are interested in taking an Infant and Child CPR/Choking Class, please reach out to the Brave Care team or Alexandra-The Mama Coach. 

A simple guide from guest author The Mama Coach, Alexandra Klenovich

Family Literacy Month: Reading aloud with your family

with guest author Sarah LaPrade, Literacy Lady PDX

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