Ruby Morris-Brown’s reading has improved immensely thanks to The Smith Family’s over-the-phone buddy program.
Camera IconRuby Morris-Brown’s reading has improved immensely thanks to The Smith Family’s over-the-phone buddy program. Credit: Supplied/Matthew Poon

Reading buddy program huge help to youngsters

Sally McGlew, Midland ReporterMidland Kalamunda Reporter

It runs a literacy program called Student2Student which is an over-the-phone reading program that lasts for 18 weeks.

In this program, a younger student reads to an older student who has been specifically trained to help the younger child improve.

Last year, nine-year-old Ruby Morris-Brown did the course for 18 weeks with a buddy from Methodist Ladies College in Perth.

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Ruby’s mother Caroline said her daughter was time-poor, so the reading buddy was a huge help to her.

‘I’m studying and when I get home and have to put dinner on for my three children, I don’t really have time to hear Ruby’s reading,’ she said.

Ms Morris-Brown said the reading was conducted two to three times a week.

The program is helping 16 students this year in grades three and four.

It has proven to have been successful, with all the younger children increasing their reading ages by the end of the it.

Any older children interested in helping younger children are asked to contact the Smith Family office in Midland and ask for Ashleigh on 92508840.