MCDONALD Park Primary School students have improved their reading skills and confidence this term thanks to some friendly and furry friends.
Since the beginning of term two, a select group of students have been spending time once a week reading to a dog as part of the popular Story Dogs: Reading for Life program.
Starting in America in 1999, the program has quickly spread to other countries, including Australia, with excellent reviews of improved confidence building with student reading.
Volunteers Leeanne Martin-Brown and Stacey Lennon have become a part of the family at McDonald Park Primary, visiting the school once a week with their dogs Shara and Ruby.
For 20 minutes, each of the eight students involved read one on one with Shara and Ruby, sharing a story of their choice.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and thought it would be nice to add another dimension by having Shara with me,” Ms Martin-Brown said.
“She really enjoys it – she always knows where we are going and bounces around in excitement when leaving the house.
“The students really love her and each week you can see their confidence and reading improve.”
Undergoing strict testing before becoming a story dog, Ms Martin-Brown said she always knew Shara would pass with flying colours.
“She is such a calm and peaceful dog, in one of the tests they banged noisy things around her to see how she would react and she just lied their without any reaction,” she said.
Year 3 student Harun took part in the sessions since they began at the school at the start of term two and said he really enjoyed his time each week.
“I feel really happy when I get to go to the library for Story Dogs, it’s fun and I like reading with the dogs,” he said.
Hoping to continue with the program for many years, teacher Suzanne Harding said it was something the kids looked forward to each week.
“The smiles on the students’ faces say it all – they bounce into the resource centre with enormous enthusiasm to read,” she said.
“It is a delightful time and students are blossoming with their reading and confidence.”
