ReadingKEYS

About the Programme 

The online reading resource programme, ReadingKEYS, was initially created to provide academic enrichment for Barbadian youth, especially those from underserved communities. The aim of these sessions is to supplement students’ reading, comprehension and vocabulary. Additionally, the programme aims to foster a love of reading, develop social skills, help struggling readers and improve literacy skills and speaking fluency. Sessions take place on Mondays and Wednesdays in group format - one instructor to two students, or individual - one to one, based on the initial assessments and need. The programme is now available to Caribbean Primary School students, ages 6.5-11. 

The Importance of Literacy

Literacy is an essential tool for personal community growth. Literacy helps children to access and understand the world around them. It's never too early to begin promoting reading and literacy skills in children.  

 Benefits for Little Buddies:

• grow as readers by practicing reading aloud and increasing their fluency, phrasing and intonation. 
• gradually progress from needing to constantly sound out words to reading with accuracy and automaticity.
• learn positive behaviours, social skills and character traits such as kindness and patience from their Big Buddies.
• essentially have a personal tutor helping them with their reading.
• receive immediate feedback and strategies to help decode unknown words. 
• build awareness and comprehension skills as time is allotted to discuss the texts they read.
• reading to another person naturally motivates them to practice reading fluently. 
• provides the perfect opportunity to practice phrased and expressive reading.