Student Library Leaders Share Love Of Reading With Kindergartners

RIVERHEAD, NY — Some of the fondest memories of childhood are born in the library — and students at the Riley Avenue School are helping to share the love of reading and writing with younger kids.

Third- and fourth-grade members of the Riley Avenue Library Leaders program are helping to educate some of the Riverhead School District’s youngest learners as part of an innovative literacy initiative.

The program, spearheaded by librarian Amelia Estevez-Creedon, brings together 16 Library Leaders who spend their recess mentoring kindergartners in the areas of reading and writing, the district said.

During the sessions, the student leaders work with the children on letter sounds and word “stretching.” They also show them how to work through "tricky words" and to retell their stories through writing, the district said.

“The program is beneficial for both the younger and older students,” said Estevez-Creedon. “It is wonderful to watch the student leaders transform into confident ‘teachers’ and improve on their read aloud skills, while the kindergartners get to know and learn from the older students.”

Photo courtesy of the Riverhead Central School District.