GLENWOOD | Longwood Elementary School, 441 N. Longwood Drive, unveiled a new reading program on Oct. 24.
Ashley Taylor, a third-grade teacher, partnered with the South Suburban Humane Society to assist students in developing reading skills while reading to their mascot Nigel, the dog.
This program was created to give students a chance to practice reading skills while learning to interact with animals. There are many benefits of children reading to their canine counterparts. Reading to dogs increases comfort while reading, allowing students to practice what they learn in the classroom and apply strategies for improving fluency.
The idea behind this comes from the fact that dogs are not assessing or judging students, just listening and offering support in the form of wet noses and fuzzy paws.
From 3:15 to 4 p.m. each Wednesday, a representative from the South Suburban Humane Society will bring Nigel so third-graders can read to him.
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