Tips: Being a Good Reading Volunteer

The following guidelines will help maximize the time you spend with the children. As a volunteer you want to make sure the children remain engaged in the session and in the materials. The following tips will help you do so.

• Begin the session with limited and age-appropriate choices - children will benefit most from materials they do not consider too easy or too difficult.
• The additional resources (below) include information on selecting age-appropriate materials. 

• Have a plan and communicate it. Give the child the opportunity to add to the plan.
• "We have three books to read today. Which one do you want to start with?"
• Write down a list and let the child check things off as they get done - this will give them a sense of accomplishment and serve as a visual representation of their progress.

• Vary the sessions.
• Don't hesitate to bring in outside materials or engage in literacy-enhancing projects.

• Communicate with the children you work with about their interests and hobbies and respond to them.
• You may bring in books about football or animals, depending on their responses.

• Acknowledge when things aren't going well. Assume that when the child doesn't understand something, you have to find a better way to explain it.
• "This is a hard book. It's ok. We'll work through it together."

• If a child is having continued difficulty understanding, move on.
• Focusing on one point makes the child anxious, and children learn best in an environment they perceive to be safe.

• Acknowledge the child's feelings.
• If a child comes to reading obviously upset or angry, ask him/her if he/she wants to talk.

• Be mindful of and react to specific issues for the child. Be sure to articulate these issues and explain your responses. Remember that reading is a language-based skill. Any time spent talking with a child is helpful.
• "I have noticed it takes you a while to settle down. Let's spend the first few minutes talking about your favorite TV show or sport."

• When a child is pressing your buttons, be an actor and don't let on.
• Once you are in a power struggle, you have lost - even if you might win.