Dogs can Assist Children to Read

Tue, 08 Nov 2011

Without doubt British schools have a literacy problem.

A quarter of children in London leave primary school without being able to read or write properly aged eleven.

There are many measures which are aimed to deal with this issue. However it would appear that dogs can play a significant role.

This is not as mad as it sounds. In 1999 the Reading Assistance Dogs (Read) programme was established in America.

Thousands of dogs presently frequent schools and libraries to act as children's reading companions.

Studies have illustrated that the intervention by a dog can make a considerable difference to a child’s ability to read and write.

The child sits with the dog and reads aloud to it. The dog of course does not judge the child and its performance. In response, the child becomes more confident and able. It is straightforward, yet very effective.

There are two UK charities which take dogs into schools in the UK: Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ), and Pets as Therapy, through their Read 2 Dogs programme.

The Kennel Club’s new "Bark and Read Foundation" is about to be launched next weekend at the annual Discover Dogs event in London. Should you know a local school which may need a bit of canine intervention with teaching literacy, then why not attend and find out more?

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