Second and 3rd graders from Kawana Springs and Bellevue Elementary School partnered up with Dr. Jessica Hobson’s PSY 302 Lifespan Development service-learning class to participate in the beloved annual event, Book Buddies. The elementary school children are partnered with a Sonoma State student to engage in a day full of literacy education.
The Sonoma State students were able to apply what they were learning in their Lifespan Development class to their interactions with the elementary students. “Giving these kids my time was very honoring and rewarding, it gives me the encouragement to continue and work with kids in my future career,” said Ridhee Patel.
Related: Read About Past Book Buddies
Working in pairs of SSU students and elementary students, the children read from a collection of 150 books to choose from, which made the kids beam from ear to ear. Afterwards, the pairs made their own story together. After they were done writing, coloring, and drawing, they shared their stories with their groups. With the help from the Sonoma students, the books turned out great. The final attraction was a professional storyteller who performed two stories. The children loved the stories and the variety of voices the storyteller used.
Book Buddies is an awesome way for children to develop a love for reading and embrace the beauty of storytelling.