As they gradually progress through school, most children are able to hone their reading and writing skills and become quite adept. Some, however, may face an additional and sometimes considerable challenge and may be in danger of falling behind without help. How is this type of problem addressed in some sectors, and how could you be of assistance?
Difficulties in the Classroom
There are many reasons why a child may find it challenging to read, and especially out loud. They may be shy or have a specific difficulty that makes it particularly hard to understand the words, keep their place or be strong in front of others.
Sometimes, they will mispronounce words or read very slowly, and other kids may tease them. They'll remember this type of event in the future and will endure even more anxiety when it represents.
Additional Challenges
Others may have an attention disorder, and it may be really difficult for them to focus on and understand what they're reading. They may easily forget and may not be able to answer questions related to the text. Once again, this can cause anxiety and especially if other children tend to poke fun at them as well.
Unusual Solution
Of course, this situation cannot be ignored as it will invariably become worse and lead to other issues if left unchecked. To help these children, therapists and educators have come up with a novel solution and have introduced specially trained dogs to provide a calming influence.
Familiarity and Affection
Many children will live in a home that has a pet dog, and there will be a sense of familiarity and an existing degree of affection. The kids will, therefore, be receptive to the idea of working with a dog and reading in front of the animal in a controlled setting. These therapy dogs have been trained to sit patiently while the child reads and, by doing so, will provide a significant degree of emotional support. Tests have shown that children are far more receptive and make significant strides forward once they are placed in this type of situation.
Your Support
In an ideal world, a therapy dog would be available for each child who is likely to face this type of predicament. It is, of course, difficult to provide this support with limited resources, and this is why organisations have been set up to help fund the approach.
For more information, reach out to a bequest program to help children.
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