Each Tuesday during period five our Year 10 Peer Reading Leaders mentor and guide young readers from the Kindergarten classes. This important programme aims to develop literacy skills and a love for reading in our younger students, while providing our Year 10 leaders with the opportunity to direct and lead in a way that fosters positive relationships and experiences through regular reading practice.
Two of our Peer Reading Leaders, Sophie Bernie and Samra Tarrant have shared their experiences in this programme:
What is involved in the Peer Reading Programme?
“In the Peer Reading Programme, each Year 10 student is paired with a Kindergarten student. We let them choose a book, then we sit down and read to them. It’s a great opportunity to discover their passions and learn more about what they find interesting.” – Sophie Bernie
What interpersonal skills have you developed through participation in the Peer Reading Programme?
“I have developed patience and listening skills. We are interacting with five year olds and they have a tendency to wander off at times and want to do different things. It is important to bring their focus back to the book so that you can keep going with reading and engaging with the book. Being so young, they don’t always know how to express themselves clearly. It is important to listen carefully so that you know what they are asking and understand how to best fulfil their needs.” – Samra Tarrant
“Through this programme, I have developed interpersonal skills such as patience and kindness, as well as a sense of fun and creativity.” – Sophie Bernie
What have you found interesting or surprising about the Peer Reading Programme?
“I am surprised by how much all the Kindergarten students love the ‘Please Don’t Open This Book’ series by Andy Lee!” – Samra Tarrant
“Something I have found surprising or interesting is the variation in personality in the Kindergarten students. One week, I might read to a young student that’s very shy and it might take a bit of effort to get them out of their shell, other weeks I’ll read to a student that won’t stop talking and is very easy to engage with”. – Sophie Bernie
Has there been anything that you have found challenging while participating in the programme? How have you managed this?
“Sometimes the younger students are really restless and find it difficult to stay sitting down and engaged with the book. At times they will want to run or move around the library. I deal with this by remaining calm and patient, waiting for them to choose their book and come back. When they come to sit back down and read with me, we have a chat about when it is ok to run around and I remind them that reading in the library isn’t really the right time for running”. – Samra Tarrant
“There have been several challenges over the course of the programme. One week, I can recall a young boy not being able to sit still and running laps around the library. However, the issue was easily cleared up after informing his class teacher and he was well focused after that”. – Sophie Bernie
