By Ready. Set. Grow!
Do you have a budding reader at home who is a little shy? Do you want to encourage him to practice reading aloud?
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles has a very sweet program that matches new readers with dogs. Through the PAWS to Read program, kids get to practice their skills before a very nonjudgmental audience who will never correct them.
In a recent Daily Breeze column, writer (and mom) Renee Moilanen recounts a visit to the Redondo Beach Main Library where children were reading to some four-legged friends. Parents told her their kids became more interested in reading and have increased confidence, and the kids were truly inspired to hone their literacy skills. And it was very cute to read how they interacted with the dogs!
Can’t make it to one of the PAWS to Read sessions? No problem. Set your child up with a book and a pet, or ask a friend, neighbor or family member if they can spare their pooch, cat, rabbit or goldfish for 15 minutes. If that’s not possible, pick your child’s favorite stuffed animal or doll. The point is to make reading a fun and comfortable experience for your child.
Let us know how it goes … and be sure to look below to learn more about our Read Early, Read Aloud early reading month — including a contest for your own home library of children’s books!
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This month, we celebrate early reading and want to encourage parents and caregivers to Read Early, Read Aloud with babies, toddlers and preschoolers! You can learn more about Read Early, Read Aloud, including age-appropriate book suggestions, tips for reading with young kids and, soon, local reading events, at the Read Early, Read Aloud pages.
Be sure to enter to win 50 books in our “My Favorite Book” contest. You can play by answering a couple questions here on Ready. Set. Grow! or on Twitter. For full details, visit the “My Favorite Book” contest rules page by clicking here.
Related posts:
What a Difference a Book Makes |
November 28th, 2011