Book buddy program improves literacy in Iowa schools

(DES MOINES), IA.- A local program from the United Way of Central Iowa called ‘Book Buddies’ is helping children make big strides in their learning journey. Once or twice a week, a volunteer spends half an hour reading out loud to a student in Polk and Dallas counties.

The program has been around for more than 12 years. Teachers like Vicki Griffin at Oak Academy say they notice a difference in their students. Giffin says, “A lot of kindergarten teachers have reached out to me and just asking, like what we were doing, with the kiddos, because they are extremely ahead.”

Besides literacy and comprehension, books are a great tool for English language learners.

Ashley Miranda, with the Conmigo Early Education Center, says, “Sometimes we have volunteers who are bilingual and who can help them out and read it in English but help them out if they have any questions or anything like that in Spanish as well.”

The Conmigo Early Education Center is a premier Latino educational facility that specializes in teaching and providing experiences that embrace Hispanic cultures.

Most teachers can agree that these half hours each week add up to a novel of precious moments and knowledge over the nine-month program.