'Some truly uplifting and memorable times'
How virtual reading support has helped a Year 2 child improve her reading and retain her love of books
Light-Angel is in Year 2 at a Wandsworth primary school. She was supported by one of Learn to Love to Read’s virtual reading volunteers, Katharina, from October 2023 to December 2024. Her father, Valentine, talks about her experience.
The family first came across Learn to Love to Read when they attended Early Years classes held at Eastwood Nursery in Roehampton. These classes, designed for parents and children aged 0-4 years old, focus on songs, stories, and speaking and listening games, all designed to help children get ready to learn to read when they start primary school.
When Light-Angel was in Year 1 at school, Valentine was keen to ensure that not only did she maintain her reading progress, but also that she continued to find it fun.
Light-Angel received one-to-one online virtual support from a trained Learn to Love to Read volunteer. These weekly sessions take place over Zoom once children have returned home at the end of the school day. Volunteers have access to an online library of graded reading books so children are reading books of the same level as their school reading books. At the end of each session, volunteers can share a more complex book which they can read to the child.
Valentine has really noticed a difference in Light-Angel’s reading ability since having the sessions and comments that she enjoyed using the technology. He says: “[Light-Angel loved] the idea that she had to have to have this reading session all by herself, with an online teacher [who’s] amazing and listening to her.”
Light-Angel’s reading volunteer, Katharina, comments: “Having my regular reading sessions with Light-Angel turned into some truly uplifting and memorable times in my week. Being prepared to learn and explore lots of different books and sharing the enthusiasm of reading over the last academic year was a wonderfully positive and reassuring experience. This was clearly greatly helped by a very supportive family and I think both sides felt equal disappointment when our sessions together had to end.”
Since Light-Angel has been reading with a volunteer, Valentine has made sure he devotes time to read with her routinely and has ensured there’s always something for her to read at home. He would recommend virtual reading sessions to other parents.
