Hundreds of Central Iowa four-year-olds are at risk of not gaining the skills they need to start kindergarten ready to learn, and research shows children who start behind, stay behind.
Book Buddy reaches children in the critical year before kindergarten, helping them build the pre-reading skills they need for a strong start in school. For 40 minutes a week, volunteers read one-on-one with four-year-old students at early childhood centers in Des Moines.
Using an engaging curriculum and library of 25 books developed in collaboration with Des Moines Public Schools, volunteers follow the book insert to teach a specific literacy skill.
Book Buddy extends learning beyond the classroom to support family literacy. Children bring home their own copy of the featured book every Friday—the start of a budding library in homes where reading materials are often scarce.
Student assessment results are compelling—74% showed improvement last year—but the increasing confidence in students is the most convincing of all. Their bright smiles will be the highlight of your week!
Training Dates for New Volunteers:
- Tuesday, Oct. 2, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., United Way of Central Iowa, 1111 9th St., Des Moines
- Tuesday, Oct. 2, noon - 1:00 p.m., Perry Public Library, 1101 Willis Ave., Perry
Book Buddy is at capacity for the 2018-19 school year!
If you're interested in reading weekly to an elementary school student, you can still sign up to volunteer for our Power Read program.
If you want to put your name on the list for our spring Book Buddy for a Day volunteer events, as well as notifications for Fall 2019 applications, fill out the form below.
Eh's Story
This preschooler's life is changed by books.
Gema's Story
Gema Garcia of Ankeny volunteers to read with preschool students in both Spanish and English, teaching them essential literacy skills for kindergarten.
Deb's Story
A first-year Book Buddy volunteer shares her experience, which didn't start out too well, but quickly transformed into a special time each week.
