There are many reasons why some kids have trouble reading. And as adults we can sometimes be just too helpful, jumping in to correct a mistake or help with a hard word.
Books.
The child may strive to please us, becoming anxious about getting it right and finding things even harder than before.
But what say you replace the ‘helpful’ adult with a dog? I’ve never yet had a dog tell me I was doing something wrong. In fact, dogs are usually famous for their uncritical adulation, their acceptance of people as they are.
Could reading to a dog help kids relax and enjoy their book, improve their skills even?
The answer seems to be: Yes. Absolutely!
An attentive dog.
During a recent session [at the library], Zeke wagged his tail and sat or laid quietly as children read. Sometimes he gazed into their eyes. Other times, he looked right at the pages of the book as the children read.
Zeke never criticizes or corrects when a child stumbles over an unfamiliar word. Zeke would never make fun of a child who mispronounces a word.
Children seem to be uninhibited and relaxed when reading to dogs, which is why the program seems to work.
And, it’s just plain fun.
[Via : Children read to training dog Zeke each Thursday at Moon library.]
The dogs are trained for their job of being read to. They are registered Therapy Dogs who must be certified regularly.
Therapy Dogs International’s “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” program encourages children to read by providing a non-judgmental listener and furry friend to read to that won’t laugh at them if they make a mistake or stumble over a word, but rather lie next to them and enjoy the story being read to them. The children learn to associate reading with being with the dog, and begin to view reading in a positive way. Over time, the child’s reading ability and confidence can improve because they are practicing their skills, which will make them enjoy reading even more.
… In a library, the reading sessions usually take place in a quiet, comfortable area. The child picks out a book that he or she would like to read, and sits down next to the dog and handler and start reading. (We often find that the book is one the child thinks the dog would enjoy!)
[Via : Therapy Dogs.]
I love that kids pick a book they think the dog would enjoy — that’s a whole skill in itself that encourages thinking of others, consideration and empathy.
If you have a child who’s having problems reading, and you have a quiet, attentive dog, perhaps you could encourage your child to read to the dog.
I guess the therapy dogs are trained not to go to sleep though while being read to. That could be quite a damper!
