Dogs inspire readers
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- November
- 19
Reading to dogs is a perfect way to encourage youngsters to read more and gain confidence in their skills, say librarians. To this end the Somers Library invites a dog and special trainer to come to the children’s room each week and spend some quality reading time with a child one-on-one.
Shown in the photo to the right is Colton McLaughlin, 6, of Somers reading to Romeo, a two-and-a-half year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Wednesday at the library in a cozy pillow-filled corner. Jeanne Burnis of the White Plains School of Animal Training in Hartsdale, watches and listens to the story as well.
“Dogs are non-judgemental,” Gurnis said. “Quite simply, the dog does not care if the child makes a mistake.”
Colton wasn’t making any mistakes and seemed to enjoy the whole experience.
“He was so nervous,” said his mother Melanie McLaughlin as it got underway.
He is accustomed to dogs, just not reading out loud, said his mom explaining that at home they have two Dalmatians and one Great Dane.
Colton took at least ten minutes to find a book he liked settling on “Biscuit FInds a Friend.” It is part of the My First I Can Read series and is about a puppy, his owner and what they do when they find a duck.
“Woof! What has Biscuit found?,” Colton read from the first page with his finger guiding him along.
(Photo by Barbara Livingston Nackman, 11/19/09)
This entry was posted
on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 4:04 pm by Barbara Nackman.
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