Mrs. Trump toured part of the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's National Health System on Thursday and met with families and children treated there.

First lady Melania Trump arrives to greet children released from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their parents at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump arrives to greet children released from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their parents at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump greets children released from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their parents at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump, greets children released from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their parents at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump greets children released from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their parents at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump, greets a shy boy who was released from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump, arrives with Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey, left, and Nathan Simm, right, to read “Oliver the Ornament” to children at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump reads “Oliver the Ornament” to children at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. Also present is the author of the book, Todd Zimmermann, center. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump reads “Oliver the Ornament” to children at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. Also present is the author of the book, Todd Zimmermann, center right. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump reads “Oliver the Ornament” to children at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump is given flowers by Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey, left, and Nathan Simm, right, after she reads “Oliver the Ornament” to children at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump greets patients in the audience after reading “Oliver the Ornament” to children at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump greets patients in the audience after reading “Oliver the Ornament” to children at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik First lady Melania Trump greets patients in the audience after reading “Oliver the Ornament” to children at Children’s National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) AP/Andrew Harnik ( 1 /14) Share This Gallery: Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via email. Print.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Melania Trump is keeping up the first ladies’ tradition of a Christmas season visit to a Washington children’s hospital.

Mrs. Trump toured part of the neonatal intensive care unit at Children’s National Health System on Thursday and met with families and children treated there.

The two boys and one girl she met ranged in age from 16 months to 6 years old. All three were born premature, at 24 weeks. Each weighed about 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) at birth.

The first lady also planned to read a book to patients. The White House says she chose author Todd Zimmerman’s “Oliver the Ornament,” a story about a family’s cherished Christmas ornaments.

The tradition of a Christmastime visit to Children’s National dates back more than 60 years to first lady Bess Truman.