School’s newest recruit gives paws for thought
MINNIE THE ‘READING DOG’ ENCOURAGES CHILDREN IN LESSONS
MEET the teaching assistant giving primary school pupils paws for thought when it comes to reading.
Pupils at Northburn Primary School, in Cramlington, have been working with Minnie to help speed up their learning.
The three-year-old Bernese Mountain ‘reading dog’ visits students aged between five and seven years old to help improve their selfconfidence by working with them in small groups. Jill Boden, a teacher at Northburn Primary School, said: “It was part of our school development plan, where a target for teaching assistants is to think of new ways to raise the profile of reading in key stage one.
“The results have really been fantastic, especially from those who were initially reluctant, they are now so keen to read to Minnie, as their new classmate provides an incentive. Not only has the experience helped with their reading, but Minnie has also helped kids to improve their writing. Some of the more confident children have been writing stories just for Minnie, and will then read them out.”
The furry friend’s appearance in the school’s corridors has not only set tails but also tongues wagging about the possible benefits of having cute companions in education.
Miss Boden added Minnie will definitely be returning in the Autumn term to continue working with the children. She added: “The parents have been thrilled, and think it’s a positive experience for the kids.”
The project has proved popular and the presence the dogs, and particularly puppy petting, has been revealed to be calming by research by Newcastle University.
Miss Boden said: “There were a couple of students who had a fear of dogs before Minnie came in, but she is so calm, quiet, and placid, the children who were worried have really overcome this.
“[I] would most definitely recommend it as a wonderful way of rais-