One of the best ways to help at risk students learn to read is by beginning a volunteer program that uses non-educators to sit with kids, during reading lessons, once a week. Use reading mentors in elementary school when kids are just learning to read. Often times, the students who are having the most difficulty are the students who do not have anyone reading to them at home. Along with the education disadvantage, these kids also have a positive attention disadvantage. Your mentors may not succeed in making a child an A plus reader, but they will do a world of good for the little one’s self esteem.
Many older people do not feel they are appropriate volunteers for school age children because they lack the “cool” factor. However, in elementary education, the children are hungry for any positive attention they can get. A stranger can be exciting and make reading fun. The consistent presence of that person will make the child want to succeed. There may be some attention issues and attempts to test the mentor, but after the student gets used to the program, they’ll likely settle down and do what they’re supposed to be doing. Reading.
Training the mentors requires very little effort. Mostly, the school will need to put them through some basic volunteer training and then explain the reading program and the tools available to the mentor and student. A teacher will be present during the reading activities. Mentors do not need to bring rewards for a job well done. Their presence is reward enough; especially for children who do not get enough attention at home. The mentor should also report any concerns he or she has with the student’s well being. For instance if the mentor suspects abuse during conversations with the child, it should be reported. Children fail in school for many reasons, and most have nothing to do with their ability to learn.