Man's best friend and child's learning tool?

We all know that dogs are warm, fuzzy, lovable creatures. But did you know that they can actually help improve your child’s reading skills?

One of the biggest challenges kids face in learning to read is a lack of confidence. Children who struggle with reading often become self-conscious about their abilities, embarrassed of making mistakes, and generally uncomfortable reading out loud in front of others. Their insecurity prevents them from doing the one thing that will make them better readers—practice, practice, practice!

This is where the dog comes in. It may seem silly to you, but reading to a dog (and oftentimes SAT tutoring) can be just what your child needs—a comforting, furry friend who will always listen and never judge. In this non-threatening environment, your child can read freely and confidently. In fact, the presence of a dog has been proven to diminish the signs of anxiety (elevated heart rate and blood pressure, for example) that can appear when a child reads aloud to a peer or adult. Who knew?

And here’s more food for thought. A study conducted this year by researchers at the University of California, Davis confirmed that children who read to a canine companion really do perform better. Young students who read out loud to dogs improved their reading skills by 12 percent over the course of a 10-week program, while children in the same program who didn't read to dogs showed no improvement. Other studies have revealed that a young student's reading scores can advance significantly—two to four grade levels—by reading to a dog for just 20 minutes a week throughout the school year. And the leaders of R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) recommend doing just that—set aside 20 minutes each week for your child to read to a dog.

If you don’t have a dog, you can visit www.therapyanimals.org to find a R.E.A.D. program near you. Otherwise, encourage your child read to whatever pet he/she does have. The key is reading to an audience who will offer unconditional respect and attention. Reading to Fluffy the hamster, Bubbles the goldfish, or Winston the tortoise might just work!