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ReadingPals offers volunteers an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children in voluntary prekindergarten and kindergarten while helping them improve their social-emotional development and early literacy skills.
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What is ReadingPals?
ReadingPals is a statewide early literacy initiative that provides volunteer mentors for students in voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) and kindergarten who may need extra help, utilizing one-on-one or small group settings. ReadingPals is managed by The Children’s Movement of Florida and administered through 20+ programs across the state of Florida.
What Do We Hope to Achieve?
- MENTORING: To build a love of reading through impactful relationships between students and mentors.
- EARLY LITERACY: To improve students’ understanding of the fundamental building blocks of early literacy.
- SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: To help students build a strong social-emotional foundation through self-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Why ReadingPals?
Only 37% of students who did not attend VPK are ready for Kindergarten, compared to 62% of students who completed 70% or more of VPK Program Hours.
- As of 2022, 51% of children in Florida are not ready for Kindergarten.
- According to the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) in 2023, 50% of Florida students cannot read at a minimally proficient level by the end of third grade (47% in 2022).
Additionally, studies show that children with mentors are more confident and have fewer behavioral problems. Early intervention and individualized attention give students the best likelihood of success. ReadingPals addresses these challenges through mentorship, early literacy, and social-emotional development.
It's easy to be a ReadingPal.
All ReadingPals volunteers undergo a quick background check and training. Then, you will choose the opportunity that best fits your schedule:
- In-Person ReadingPals visit a local school to read with their student. All books, activities, and materials are provided.
Each week, or two weeks, you will set aside 30 or 60 minutes to read with your ReadingPal. If you are volunteering as an individual,you will read with the same student, or group of students, each week. If you choose to mentor with friends, both you and your friend will take on the responsibility of guiding a group of young readers in a local classroom or an after-school program. Searching for new reads to enjoy with your ReadingPal? Explore a collection of 25 digital books instantly on the BookSmart App! Read anywhere, anytime – all for free. Thanks to a collaborative initiative by the Florida Grade-Level Reading Campaign (FACCT) and Worldreader.
How do I become a ReadingPal?
Are you interested in becoming a ReadingPal? That's great! Simply fill out the form below and we will contact you with the next steps. Do you have questions or would you like more information about the ReadingPals program? Contact us at volunteer@united-way.org.