SUMTER, S.C. (WIS) - A national non-profit says while children’s math scores are rebounding from pandemic lows, reading progress has stalled — including in South Carolina classrooms.

But some South Carolina pediatricians are trying to change that story — starting before children ever step foot in a classroom.

At Tandem Health in Sumter, pediatrician Dr. Efua Wilmot is helping children develop a love for reading one check-up at a time.

“I really love children, obviously. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” Wilmot said.

Each time parents bring their little ones for a routine visit, they leave with a book — part of the program, a nationwide effort that uses the pediatrician’s office to promote early literacy.

“We’re one of many clinic sites promoting literacy in our patient popul

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