Several reading
programs involve children reading to dogs – and other animals. Usually
organized by volunteers, children go to dog-friendly libraries as part of their
primary school reading program, where children can choose a dog and choose a
book (USA Today, October 25, 2015).
Why does this work?
It works because
reading to adults can often be intimidating for children. Dogs just sit and
listen. Sometimes it’s better not to interrupt readers, but to let them tell
the story as they see it and perceive it, even if it is not quite the correct
words. Children become calmer – so do the dogs. And during segments in their
stories, children become animated and more expressive – matching their tone to
the character more often than if they were reading alone or to an adult.
The main objective of
the reading program is to provide a relaxed dog-friendly atmosphere which
enables children to practice reading aloud – and to reduce their
self-consciousness (especially when reading in front of a classroom). Dog are
not judgemental.
Anecdotal results show
that children’s reading rates and literacy levels improve. However, more
studies are required. This could also work for other animals, such as cats, and
any other animal that will sit calmly next to a child – and where the child is
not frightened of the animal.
The photograph is from
librarydogs.com
MARTINA NICOLLS is an international
aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of
Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet
(2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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