ESTONIA: Estonian library uses dogs to encourage children to read

Record ID: 241363

  • Title: ESTONIA: Estonian library uses dogs to encourage children to read
  • Date: 21st March 2014
  • Summary: TARTU, ESTONIA (MARCH 19, 2014) (REUTERS) CHILDREN AND DOGS ARRIVING AT READING LESSON NEWFOUNDLAND DOG CHILD HOLDING BOOK CHILDREN PETTING DOG (SOUNDBITE) (Estonian) PROJECT MANAGER, EWA ROOTS, SAYING: "Dogs are excellent and calm listeners. They never criticize the children, like adults or parents sometimes do. So a child might be happier reading to a dog. We usually have four to six therapy dogs present, who have had special training and who help and support kids in this program". VARIOUS OF BOY READING BOOK TO DOG (SOUNDBITE) (Estonian) MOTHER, KARIN KEEMU, SAYING: "I really love the idea, I believe that it helps my child to develop a lot - both in reading and talking". VARIOUS OF BOY READING BOOK TO DOG READING LESSON IN PROGRESS VARIOUS OF GIRL READING AFGHAN HOUND GIRL READING AND PETTING DOG PROGRAM MANAGER, EWA ROOTS, OBSERVING SESSION POSTER OF PROJECT SHOWING DOG WEARING GLASSES (SOUNDBITE) (Estonian) DOG OWNER, JANE JAKO, SAYING: "Yes there have been some changes in my dog's behaviour. She used to keep away from children and other dogs on the street. She let people pet her, but wasn't very happy about it. After we have started coming to the library, she has started to take interest in children on the street and when a stranger comes to talk to us, he or she might find that the dog has its paws on the person's chest and wants to give a them kiss. The dog has become much more social and fun". BOY IN LIBRARY TARTU PUBLIC LIBRARY
  • Embargoed: 5th April 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Estonia
  • Country: Estonia
  • Topics: Education,Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVAD1IQUVT07XMD114KDVB8Y0Y0A
  • Story Text: Tartu Public Library has started a new innovative reading program for children. Six therapy dogs encourage the young visitors to read and speak. The children practice their reading skills by reading books to the dogs, or just enjoy their company while reading in silence.
    The dogs are of various breeds - there is one Afghan Hound, one Golden Retriever, two Newfoundland dogs and one Belgian Shepherd. The lessons are open to everybody and they are free of charge. Most of the children are between six and seven years old, but there is no set age limit and one of the participants is 16 years old.
    The coordinator of the lessons says the dogs have turned out to be better listeners than adults.
    "Dogs are excellent and calm listeners. They never criticize the children, like adults or parents sometimes do. So a child might be happier reading to a dog. We usually have four to six therapy dogs present, who have had special training and who help and support kids in this program," says the program manager Ewa Roots.
    Four reading sessions have already taken place, and both the manager and parents say they can see an improvement in the children's reading abilities. The children also seem eager to go to the reading lessons because they want to see the dogs, parents say.
    "I really love the idea, I believe that it helps my child to develop a lot - both in reading and talking," says one of the parents at a reading session, Karin Keemu.
    The dog owners admit that the animals are not very picky about the books and topics read to them. They just like to be around children. But the children quite often choose books about dogs or fairy tales about animals because they think that these books would be more understandable for the dogs.
    The owner of the Afghan Hound, Jane Jako, says the sessions have also influenced the behaviour of her dog.
    "There have been some changes in my dog's behaviour. She used to keep away from children and other dogs on the street. She let people pat her, but wasn't very happy about it. After we have started coming to the library, she has started to take interest in children on the street and when a stranger comes to talk to us, he or she might find that the dog has its paws on the person's chest and wants to give a them kiss. The dog has become much more social and fun," she says.
    Program manager Ewa Roots says these lessons have become very popular in a very short time. Librarians from all around Estonia are coming to observe them. Some are considering starting a similar program in their library.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
Register