My high school had a program where members of the senior class were paired with a first grader learning to read. Each child would pick a chapter book to read with us, and every week, we would help them read the next chapter aloud to us.
At first, the student I worked with seemed indifferent and shy. She was hesitant to read out loud for fear of making a mistake, and her face would always flush with frustration when she came across a word she didn’t know. But the further we got through the first Harry Potter book, she became more and more immersed in the plot, so much so that she forgot to be self-conscious about making mistakes. Watching her break out of her shell while falling in love with her first chapter book was a very special transformation to witness.
Research shows a strong link between reading proficiency and self-esteem, where kids who are proficient readers tend to have higher self-esteem in the classroom. What leads to proficiency? Practice. Working with my student taught me that everyone learns at different paces when it comes to reading, and usually, all it takes is patience, practice, and the right book for kids to start wanting to read independently.
As a young elementary schooler, feeling good about reading can certainly make you feel good about yourself. On The Same Page Boston is dedicated to narrowing the literary disparity in Boston Public Schools by providing books that ignite a love of reading and self-confidence in our students. Take a look at our wishlist and donate a book that has the power to inspire today.
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