Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., in Beacon, invites children in grades one through five to participate in Tail Waggin’ Tutors held every second Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 14.
Children who need practice, especially those with reading difficulties, will have the opportunity to read out loud to Aries, a specially trained therapy dog from Therapy Dogs International (TDI). TDI notes that dogs are wonderful – they listen patiently and they don’t criticize.
Children will have the opportunity to sit with Aries in a quiet spot in the library, get to know her, choose a book, and read to their furry buddy. The child can relax and forget about how hard he/she thinks reading is, and instead, look forward to it.
By sitting down next to a dog and reading to the dog, all threats of being judged are put aside. The child relaxes, pats the attentive dog, and focuses on the reading. Reading improves because the child is practicing the skill of reading, building self-esteem, and associating reading with something pleasant. TDI and Howland Public Library hope to enhance children’s love of books and lay the foundation for a lifetime of reading and learning.
Aries and owner, Caley, will be at the library every second Tuesday of the month between January and May. Parents may sign children up on a monthly basis for a 15-minute time slot. Parents may register children each month, however, the library will try to accommodate as many children as possible, giving those who have not had a turn priority.
Registration is ongoing so please register by contacting Ginny Figlia, Youth Services Librarian, at 845-831-1134, ext.103, or by email at youth@beaconlibrary.org. For more children’s programs check the library’s online event calendar at beaconlibrary.org.
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