Reading with children can be one of the most rewarding experiences of an adult’s life.
Whether it’s sharing the adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Harry Potter or Captain Underpants or enjoying the rhymes of Dr. Seuss, curling up with a good book together is always a great time.
But there are additional benefits, too, when adults read with children, says Seaview elementary school principal Frank Pearse, who is working to promote reading at his Port Moody school.
“It’s well known if kids get more time reading one on one with an adult, it will increase their confidence and enjoyment of reading,” said Pearse.
Teachers spend a lot of time helping students with their reading skills, and many parents join in the fun, too, but the benefits could be so much greater if more adults got involved in the school’s reading program, says Pearse.
To that end, he’s organizing a community reading coaches program, whereby adults with time during a school day spend a couple of hours each week listening while children read to them. They’ll get some training from a reading teacher, as well as a book that is age or developmentally appropriate for the child with whom they are paired.
Each reading session is likely to take an hour, with adults reading with a student for about 20 minutes, working with a number of children in a class. The hope is that Seaview can get a roster of six to eight adults who will participate in the program.
Pearse is excited about the community reading coaches program because the thinks it will help improve students’ reading skills while also fulfilling Seaview’s mandate of being a community school.
To participate, contact community development facilitator Shreya Qazi at the school 604-936-9991 or email [email protected]. A criminal record check will also be required, the process is free and the school will provide a letter of support
