READ Dogs Assist Children In Developing Literacy

The Guardian:

When children read to him, Danny does not criticise or correct their pronunciation. He just nods and pricks up an ear, although sometimes he closes his eyes and appears not to be listening.

Read the whole story: The Guardian

Comments

[satanlite]

10:28 AM on 03/04/2011

This made me immediately think of Red Dwarf, and the books made by the Cat civilization.

[Indigo1941]

08:20 AM on 03/04/2011

Dogs pay attention when you read to them. My dog always found the stock market analysis columns in the newspaper interesting. She never opened a market account but that's not really the point, at least she paid attention while I read to her.

[LisaCACO]

02:09 PM on 03/03/2011

kids are afraid that adults and other kids are going to laugh or make fun of the words they don't know. this is true even of great readers like my daughter who is a fabulous reader, reading many levels past her age. she still reads aloud to me but i have to promise not to interrupt and make too many corrections (very hard, lol). that's why she likes her reading buddy at school, a 4th grader (she's in Kindergarten). they're both about the same reading level (3rd grade or so) and they work out the words together-no pressure, no judgement. adults just add tension to the mix. her reading buddy likes it because she doesn't make him feel bad that his reading isn't as "good as everyone else's" and he's shown her that it's not the end of the world if you encounter a word you don't know (something perfectionist kids really need to learn). They're both working really hard to improve their reading. all in all it's a win-win. And it doesn't hurt that she has a big crush on him, lol.

[datenutloaf]

11:26 PM on 03/02/2011

My old dog can read better n' some of the Fox viewers.....

[AZterritory]

10:51 PM on 03/02/2011

Well, ol' W had a Scottie, and he was able to get through My Pet Goat.

[3fingerbrown]

11:47 AM on 03/02/2011

Nice, but nothing new here. Dogs have been used in this role for years in the U.S. There are "read to a dog" programs at schools and libraries all around the country.

[LisaCACO]

02:01 PM on 03/03/2011

yep, they're in many a library and school. kids love them.