Little Scholars brings in the dogs to boost children’s literacy

Little Scholars Ashmore, based on the Gold Coast, has developed an innovative approach to support children in the centre to gain confidence in their emergent literacy skills, and develop a life-long love of reading. 

Dogs from Story Dogs visit the centre weekly, with the centre taking on the initiative which has proven successful in school-based settings, particularly for children with additional needs, such as autism spectrum disorder, or selective mutism. 

The Story Dogs program assists over 2,410 children across Australia each week, partnering with 288 education settings in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT. 

There are currently 482 volunteer dog teams, consisting of a dog and a specially trained handler, of which 321 are fully sponsored – meaning no cost is incurred to the dog or volunteer. 

Little Scholars Ashmore is believed to be one of the first early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings to introduce the Story Dogs program, which Managing Director Jae Fraser says will be a way to switch children on to a love of reading. 

“This will be a totally out-of-the-box experience for them and out of the norm, which means we have their undivided attention.”

For more information about the Story Dogs program, please visit their website, here.