Reading buddies got together all around the school this week, with older children reading with younger children. It was lovely to see everyone enjoying the experience of reading to others, being read to, or both!
Activities like these have many reading skill benefits and are also great for building self-esteem. I love to see how it unites us a school, developing closer, caring connections within our Provo Primary family.
The votes are in… it was a popular event… and one which we would like to repeat again soon!
Reading buddy times help model good reading to younger students. As with any skill, reading needs to be practised. Reading to younger children offers the opportunity to develop fluency. Reading simpler books has been shown to particularly improve reading abilities in less fluent readers. Reading to a younger buddy provides a real reason to read simpler books and thus allows children to have a sense of pride in their accomplishments and boosts a growth in their self-esteem. In addition, it promotes a sense of value of reading and nurtures that love of reading we all want children to grow up feeling.