During the School Home Support pilot, in Islington primary schools, several children reported that the Reading Pals sessions had given them the confidence to help their younger siblings with reading at home.
This is particularly significant for families where parents simply do not have enough time to read with the children, families where parents lack the motivation or confidence to read with the children, and families where English is not the first language. If the older children are enjoying reading with their siblings this is a great way to improve both the older and younger sibling’s language and literacy skills.
One child reported that the sessions had helped her in her role as a Young Interpreter, this scheme enables migrant children to learn English from their peers.