I am a stroke survivor and have recently gained the courage to go out alone using my electric wheelchair ( rather than with a friend or relative).
To help fill my time I contacted a local primary school to see if I could be a reading volunteer, as I used to be a child minder the head teacher was keen to make use of my expertise.
She sent me the necessary paperwork to start the process of getting a DBS check ( safeguarding to ensure that I was a suitable person to go into school). Once I had completed and sent back the forms, I took my identification documents in to the school office and a few weeks later my DBS certificate arrived. I then arranged to go into the school, it was decided that I would sit in my wheelchair while listening to several children in year 1 read.
I instantly felt at ease and the children seemed to like me.
One boy offered me a cake ; the class were having a cake stall to raise funds.
As the cake was in a cake case I asked him to remove it for me because I only have the use of one hand; of course he then wanted to know what had happened to my hand and why I was a wheelchair user, I explained the best that I could then we got down to some reading.
As well as listening to some very good readers we also discussed the books together then I wrote a brief note in each child’s reading diary to say how they had done.
The second time that I went to school a boy who had read to me previously was keen to do so again ( I could see him hovering book in hand waiting while I was listening to another child) unfortunately we ran out of time , so the third time I visited I asked the teacher if he could read with me.
He came bouncing over with his book and was eager to tell me that he had gone up a reading level since last time. This particular child was an exceptional reader for his 6 years so I wasn’t surprised to hear this.
Another boy politely asked if I was his teacher’s boss! I explained who I was and then another child wanted to know how my electric wheelchair worked so I gave a small demonstration.
As I was getting ready to leave the teacher thanked me and said that the children were really benefiting from reading to someone else and asked if I would come again. I assured her that I would be back as I too was benefiting from it and hoped that I was putting my love of literature over to the children, plus I felt that the children were learning about and excepting disabled people..
I have written a post about helping and encouraging children to read here
If you have time on your hands why not do as I have and become a reading volunteer, you will be helping children to develop their reading skills.
Please share any experiences.
As always questions, comments and topic suggestions are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
x
What a great thing to do Karen, I enjoyed reading all about it, well done.
Thanks Sandra and thank you for providing the photo x
I am so pleased that you are doing this Karen, you have a very special bond with children and they really like you in return. It is really good for children to understand and take an interest in someone with a disability, A brilliant blog .
Well done you. Volunteering is great for mental well being at challenging times. You will inspire others. This is something I have always fancied doing myself #AnythingGoes
What a lovely story and a wonderful idea! I think we all need to get away from the linear school learning – it might not suit everybody, may be limiting/ limited – and ultimately we are all different so the same education might not work for everybody. Love your bravery! #globalblogging
What a brilliant thing to do, so valuable for children to listen them read x
#dreamteam
I used to do this when my own kids went in for Friday afternoon sessions before starting school full time. It was very rewarding. #AbitOfEverything
Such a great thing to do and I’m sure the children are definitely enjoying the experience of your love of literature! #StayClassyMama
Helping children in any capacity is wonderful! I am sure you have made many friends and opened up the world of reading to the littles is a gift that will keep on giving! #abitofeverything xoxo
Back again from #dreamteam xoxo
that’s really wonderful for everyone. I have helped at my childrens school with reading and math and it is so rewarding isn’t it. Well done! Thank you for linking up for #ABloggingGoodTime
This is a great way to spend some time and help out. Unfortunately because of my hearing I wouldn’t be a good listener.
#abitofeverything
That is a fab thing to do. My son is dyslexic and really benefits from additional time with adult readers to listen to him and support. It sounds like both you and the kids are really getting lots out of it. Thanks for sharing with the #DreamTeam
I bet this is a really satisfying job, and so worthwhile too! I’ve never volunteered at school but mean to when my middle one starts in September #ablogginggoodtime
Supporting our schools is so important in these days when budgets are being cut but expectations are ever higher. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
That’s great to hear – well done you, thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
Wow! What an inspiration you are! #KidsandKreativity
I’m so glad that you are enjoying going into the school to listening to the children read and that they are enjoying it so much too. It’s good too that the children are learning about disabilities through seeing you in your wheelchair and learning to be accepting of them as a result. #KidsandKreativity
I’m not sure who’s enjoying it more! Well done Karen it sounds like you’ve already made a big impression on these little readers! #KidsandKreativity
Good question, I have just been asked if I would like to go in again next term, bet you know my answer! X
Ha ha that’s so lovely though 😍
What an absolutely lovely selfles thing to do! Thanks again for linking up with #KidsandKreativity x
This is such a beautiful experience for those children. I hope you are still doing it. My mother has had three strokes and I truly only see hints of her old self when she is interacting with my daughter. #alittlebitofeverything
Thanks, yes I am still doing it and loving spending time with and helping the children