More than Reading

            Besides helping the children learn the alphabet and teaching them to read, Jumpstart truly makes each child feel important. During training, the corps members learn to call the children by their first name as often as possible because it creates a stronger relationship between the volunteers and students, shows them that we really care about them, and demonstrates that we know who they are out of the other twenty students in the classroom. Splitting into smaller groups to read at the beginning of each session also helps to break down the barrier between teacher and student and provides each student with more personal attention. In their big preschool classes they probably do not always get the attention they may need from the one teacher in the classroom. Therefore, Jumpstart sessions are the time of the week in which they can get the extra help they need to prepare them for kindergarten and the rest of their future. Additionally, the children often tell us about their family and friends which goes to show that they feel comfortable in the environment that Jumpstart creates: an environment for learning, growing, talking, playing, and exploring.

For some children, one on one attention is almost essential for them to have an environment in which they can flourish. Recently I was assigned to work one on one with a student who is easily distracted and rarely participates. It was amazing to see how much better he was able to concentrate when the book was right in front of him and he was the only child I was reading to and talking to. He was much more receptive to my questions and seemed to understand the book much better. Giving him one on one attention also shows him that Jumpstart really does care about him personally and wants him to learn and improve as much as every other child. I am so excited to start this semester of Jumpstart and to continue working one on one with this student because I know he will improve drastically and I am already so proud of him.

I hope that Jumpstart continues to expand to other cities and to grow within the cities it is in because the positive affect it has on the children is so obvious. I knew I loved the organization before I even started volunteering, but seeing the way it impacts the children is truly amazing.

~Sophia Suarez-Friedman

Corps Member

Team Learning