Virtual Reading Gym able to get children reading at Parkview Library
PARKVIEW – The Errors are Treasures initiative aims to help children with reading challenges they face and hope to bring children back to the library.
A reading initiative sponsored by businesses in the community is well on its way to bring more children to Parkview library.
The Virtual Reading Gym runs an initiative called Errors are Treasures, which was developed by speech-language therapist Elizabeth Nadler-Nir, along with her partners Natalia Pereira, director, and David Lewis.
Pereira said, “The initiative is all about bringing the children back into the library, to take the fear out of reading for children who are delayed readers and face various challenges when reading.”
An assessment is conducted at the start of the programme to determine at what level someone is truly reading. For instance, according to the Pereira, a Grade 5 child could be reading at a Grade 2 level.
She went on to say that the programme has an online game which is interactive and exciting for the readers as they earn points after playing. “It tests comprehension, speed and accuracy. It also finds the patterns, mistakes and errors that the child makes when reading and then works on those mistakes. It commences reading at the instruction level, not frustration level.”
She added that reading mentors work together with the children at St Peter’s Child Care and each mentor is allocated a child to work with. “Once we finish with the reading session programme, we then reference books from the library with the assistance of the librarians here at Parkview library.”
The programme is open to anyone else who struggles to read, including adults, as people of all ages may face reading challenges. According to Pereira, the initiative has really helped address challenges such as lack of vocabulary and people not understanding what they read.
She acknowledged the reading partners as well as librarians who are always willing to help. Pereira also expressed her gratitude to the business sponsors such as Added Touch Nail Salon, The Mask Beauty Clinic, The Perfect Cup Coffee Shop, Cape Cottage and individual sponsor Gabriel Pereira.
Details: Virtual Reading Gym www.virtualreadinggym.co.za
Email your unique community initiatives to naidines@caxton.co.za
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