‘Reading with them, I have learnt how to help them myself’

During 2020, as it became more and more apparent that schooling would not be returning to normality for some time, we developed a new way of offering reading support, where volunteers connect with children via Zoom, using online graded reading books. Though many of our volunteers and children have now been able to return to in-school support, we continue to offer this virtual programme as an after-school activity for families where this is helpful and appropriate.

Faiza* has four children, the oldest now in Year 7 and the youngest just three years old. The school-age children were previously pupils at a Learn to Love to Read partner school, with two of them referred for our virtual one-to-one volunteer reading support by the school.

‘I did not expect a volunteer, I thought it would be a teacher,’ Faiza says. ‘But I was very happy and very satisfied with the volunteer. Initially I thought 30 minutes will not be enough, but it is the perfect time slot.’

Faiza later made the decision to home-school her children. She had already seen the impact of our reading support and asked if we could continue the sessions. As reading was being done online, we were able to keep offering support despite this change in circumstances. 

‘I have been home-schooling them all since Covid. I saw the progress in my daughters. They improved in their reading so I decided Learn to Love to Read is the best thing to keep in mind.’

So what does she find most useful about our virtual support?

‘The free access to the e-books. They read them usually before bed, and sometimes they wake up early and read. Being home-schooled, it is helpful that they have access to so many books. The volunteer always gives suggestions about which one to read for the week.’ 

The fact that the same volunteer provides long-term support, building a relationship with the children and the family, is also important:

‘One day Madeeha* did not want to read, so her volunteer Katharina asked her to choose the book, and as she had the choice to select, she loved it. The volunteer is so patient with the girls. Madeeha is very shy but she is so used to Katharina. We can’t imagine doing the sessions with anyone else.’

Faiza was able to access advice from our staff team when she was concerned about her oldest daughter’s reading – we directed her to support at the local library. She has been able to join our online Early Years classes with her youngest child and we were also able to provide a box of age-appropriate books for the family to enjoy at home. Whole family support in action!

Engaging parents in their children’s learning has always been a key focus of our work. And Faiza herself has learnt a lot by seeing how our trained volunteer engages with the children. 

‘I have learnt to have patience with the kids. Now I let them break down the word and try to read it. Before I used to say the word for them. Reading with them, I have learnt how to help them myself.’ 

* names have been changed to maintain confidentiality