Helping children through storytelling
Making a difference is as easy as the ABCs.
The USU Storytellers Club is created to read stories to children at different elementary schools throughout Cache County School District and Logan City School District. According to their club Web site, www.studentlife.tsc.usu.edu/servicecenter/story.html, the club helps a wide range of children, each with their own needs and abilities, by reading stories to children, as well as listening to the children read.
Lisa Reese, director of Storytellers, said when a child does not understand the basics of reading, they can encounter a lot of difficulty in school.
“Every school subject is based around reading and if a child is behind (in reading), it really sets them back,” she said. “For the children, having volunteers to help promote literacy skills really makes a difference.”
The Storytellers Web site said storytime is not only fun for the children, but is also designed to give a break to the children’s parents.
One highlight of the club, according to the Web site, are the trips to Salt Lake City where children at homeless shelters are read to.
Volunteers of the Storytellers Club help tutor children with grammar and spelling difficulty and help children who are learning English as a second language.
The Web site states volunteers must be current students of USU. It also states special training will be provided for volunteers in early childhood learning styles, reading tips, working with special needs and communication skills.
Reese said for USU students majoring in fields of child development, early education, or family, consumer and human development, volunteering for the Storytellers Club will give them great experience for after graduation, as well as help when applying to graduate school.
Club members are able have individual based volunteer hours and work with schools and teachers to work in after school programs or in classrooms with teachers.
For anyone interested in the Storytellers Club, the organization meets on the second Wednesday of every month in room 322 on the third floor of the TSC, or contact Reese at lisa.a@aggiemail.usu.edu.
–heather.c.griffiths@aggiemail.usu.edu