According to Jenny Fry, Director of Programs and Partnerships, the program has been operating for more than 20 years. Libraries throughout British Columbia and Canada offer similar programs.

“It’s a wonderful way to support children learning how to read in school and at home,” Fry says. “The program creates a safe and fun space for them to practice their skills while allowing teens to develop leadership skills and earn volunteer hours required for high school graduation.”

Making reading positive

Fry explains that Reading Buddies serves children in Grades 4 to 7. All sessions are always full, with about 150 to 160 teen and little buddy matches, about 300 participants total. Teens, including some returning teens, can participate from the age of 14 until they graduate.

Teens go through an application and interview process. Library staff review the younger children’s applications, completed by parents, to create a suitable match.

Each weekly 60-minute session has two parts. The first 30 minutes focus on reading, followed by 30 minutes of play, when buddies can enjoy board games, card games and other activities together.

The reading portion uses several approaches, including choral reading, where both buddies read together; echo reading, where the teen reads a sentence and the child repeats it; and paired reading, where they take turns reading pages.

Fry says that children can also browse the library collection, explore different genres and discuss their interests with their teen buddy. There are no expectations for reading levels or the number of books completed.

“The main goal is to make reading a positive experience and help kids feel comfortable, confident and excited about reading,” she states.

Building confidence

Fry says children enter the program with a variety of challenges including low reading confidence, limited comprehension and anxiety about reading aloud.

“There’s definitely a bit of stage fright,” she says.

The relationship with a teen volunteer provides individualized support. Meeting regularly with the same person helps children feel comfortable practising their skills. Fry says the relationship differs from a traditional teacher-student dynamic, creating a less formal environment.

By the end of the program, Fry often sees a significant change in children’s attitudes toward reading.

“The most notable transformation we typically see is a child moving from complete reluctance to read to happy enthusiasm,” she says.

Fry recalls one child who worked through a book over several sessions and finally completed it; the first book the child had ever finished.

“The feeling of triumph just emanated from this little buddy,” Fry remembers. “It was just pure magic.”

Benefits for teens

Fry says that teens benefit by developing communication, relationship-building and leadership skills while learning responsibility, time management and commitment.

Teens learn to listen to their younger buddies, recognize their interests and respond to their needs. She has seen shy teens become more comfortable interacting with their little buddies, giving high-fives and recognizing their accomplishments.

“These are life skills and future employment skills,” Fry says.

At the end of the program, participating children and teens receive completion certificates and small prize incentives. Teens who demonstrate strong responsibility and commitment may also be eligible for references from librarians.

For parents, Fry recommends continuing the experience at home by encouraging children to read books they enjoyed during the program. Ultimately, Reading Buddies is about more than learning to read. It gives children an opportunity to practice, persevere and experience the satisfaction of discovering that they can read and enjoy it.

The program is promoted with posters, school connections, social media, the website, and an email blast. For more information, visit: www.surreylibraries.ca/services/kids-families/reading-buddies