An Investigation of Literacy Environments in Pediatric Offices

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if pediatricians' offices are offering a literacy-rich environment to their patients. A secondary goal was to observe patients' interactions within the environment of a pediatrician's office. The study involved 10 pediatricians' offices. All of these offices were surveyed by the researcher in order to examine whatever literacy materials were available to the patients. An employee from each office also took part in the research by answering a set of questions specifically related to the inner workings of the office. From the initial observations and data, five offices were utilized for field observations of patients' interactions within their environment. Materials were available in all offices, but there was a range of quantity and quality. Some offices had an abundant supply of books, magazines, toys and newspapers that were current and handled. Other offices had a minimum supply of materials. Within these offices common titles of books and magazines were found. It was found that the materials in an environment play a significant role with how children interact with them while waiting. If reading materials were accessible children utilized them. When an office had a television set turned on the children were observed to watch the program.