Video: Pupils from Brunswick House School practise reading to dogs

It may sound like an unlikely tail, but education bosses say dogs could be the answer to improving literacy skills in Kent.

A group of children from Brunswick House School in Maidstone tried out the Reading Education Assistance Dog (READ) scheme today, a programme that Kent County Council is considering rolling out to schools and libraries across the county.

It is designed to help children develop their reading skills and confidence through reading aloud to dogs.

“Many children find it a struggle to read and it really knocks their confidence if they stumble over words in front of their mates“, said READ Volunteer Tony Nevett.

“The idea of reading to dogs is that they don’t answer back and they don’t give you a hard time if you don’t get it right first time. It gives children an audience to practice in front of and helps them to build their confidence and their ability.”