A mission to transform patients’ lives
Just two years prior, Dr. Doshi piloted the hospital’s partnership with Too Small to Fail to help pediatricians provide consistent guidance for their patients on the critical importance of the early years in a child’s brain development. Too Small to Fail gave a clear message to encourage parents to talk, read, sing, play, and bond with their babies from birth – along with a tote bag full of children’s books, music, baby clothing, and parent resources to help them get started.
“It’s so important for parents to hear from their doctor, someone they trust deeply and see countless times over their child’s life, that we care as much about their brain development as we do vaccines, blood draws, or other developmental milestones,” says Dr. Doshi. “All parents – regardless of where they come from, what language they speak, or what adversities they face – are eager to learn how to support their child so they can reach their full potential.”
She has the data to back it up. A recent study conducted on the effectiveness of this work showed that 80% of parents reported that they were talking, reading, and singing more since meeting with their health care provider and receiving Too Small to Fail’s materials. And, most parents (84%) also reported noticing a change in their child’s behavior since receiving the materials, including their child talking more, being more interactive, and showing a greater interest in reading.
The success of this pilot drove Dr. Doshi to expand its reach, this time to the Labor and Delivery Unit, where the hospital can reach even more families with this critical message. In October 2018, postpartum nurses, midwives, and physicians were trained to share information and tools with parents and caregivers about the critical role they play in their children’s early brain and language development. And, each newborn and family discharged from the hospital will receive Too Small to Fail’s tote bags with evidence-based early childhood development materials.
To read more of Jane Park Woo, Deputy Director, Too Small to Fail, article, please click here.
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