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Icy is resting after one of the children's reading program sessions at a local library. |
> Reading aloud helps children improve their
reading skills significantly.
> Reading to
dogs can help a child build confidence without fear of
judgment or embarrassment by parents, teachers or other kids.
> The Dogs
help motivate reluctant readers who don’t like to read, or are afraid they
won’t read well.
Reading programs can take place at libraries, schools,
bookstores, hospitals, even homeless shelters.
Here are some compelling and disturbing facts about literacy in the U.S.:
> Over 40 million adults in the U.S. don't read well enough to read a simple story to a child. How shocking is that?!
> Nearly half of the nation's unemployed youth aged 16-21 are functional illiterate, and will have little to no job prospects.
> Children who haven't developed basic literacy skills by the time they enter school are 3 to 4 times more likely to drop out later.
> 60% of American prison inmates and 85% of juvenile offenders have reading problems. That is a pretty scary statistic!
Fact Sources 2014: US Dept. of Education & US Dept. of Health & Human Services
Some of the kids have never owned a dog, so it's a real treat to spend time with a dog. The funniest thing is that sometimes the parents enjoy it even more than the kids, petting the dogs and asking questions about them while their child is reading!
Afterwards, I take Icy home and give her a nice big Kong bone filled with peanut butter or a special chew stick! It's so much fun and rewarding, we love the children reading to dogs program!
"To learn to read is to light a fire;
every syllable that is spelled out is a spark"
- Victor Hugo, Les Miserables
What do you think about a reading program where kids read out loud to dogs? Leave us a comment, we love hearing from you!
We think those reading programs are great! It's so awesome that you and Isis participate in them-you are helping many kids find their confidence and their voices =)
ReplyDeleteThank you Tiffany, we really do enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThat sounds like a WONDERFUL program. Bet it would work with cats, too.
ReplyDeletePurrs,
Nissy
Oh absolutely! There are many wonderful therapy cats that visit children, seniors, and Veterans. There is even a therapy Llama that we know of!
DeleteThat is so amazing!!!! Well done Isis!!!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Thank you Jenna! And thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSuch a great program! I know our library does that & I will take be taking my kids ~Rascal and Rocco
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad! It really is a fun program that encourages kids to go to the library and to read more. Hope your kids have fun! Thanks for visiting our blog.
DeleteThey have programs like that near us. If I had the time, I'd be bringing my pups so the kids can read to them.
ReplyDeleteWags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
I'll be you & your pups would be a great addition to the program! Many reading programs are just a few weeks long, and you don't have to go every week. There are usually some who go each week and others who rotate out as they have the time. Maybe you can do a guest appearance once or twice at a library or school.
DeleteAwesome job. Such a great program!
ReplyDeleteMuch love Isis for helping the kids !!!!
Thanks Suzanne! Yes, it is a great program. I'm really proud of Isis, she's so good w/ the kids. She gets lots of love from the kids - and the parents too!
DeleteI love these reading programs! Great cuddling time for the dogs, and such an amazing way to motivate kids to read! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteI love the reading programs too, it's my favorite thing to participate in. And Isis loves kids! They don't mind if she licks their faces off - LOL!! Thanks for stopping by
DeleteThat is awesome! I think it's a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa! I love the idea as well. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteBefore deciding to plunge into the world of indie author, I worked in a high school library. Reading is so underrated by students. Thanks for making it more enjoyable to them as children. It will make such a difference when these kids get older. ♥
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous that you worked in a HS library. It really is underrated, especially w/ all the online games and other stuff to take them away from reading. I hope it does make a difference to some of the kids! Thanks for your input on this and for stopping by M. K.!
DeleteWow, I didn't know all of those facts about illiteracy! How wonderful that your Isis can be a part of changing kid's lives like that!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful girl Isis is! Love her coloring.
♥ Behr Behr :)
Thanks Behr, Behr! I know, it shocked me that there could still be this kind of illiteracy in America in this day & age! It's actually kind of scary; if you can't read, how do you earn a good living? Thanks for stopping by the blog today.
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