Deerfield Partners with Elementary Schools for Special Book Program

Residents and elementary school students read to each other once a month at the Urbandale, Iowa retirement community.

At a time when so much reading is done on smartphones, tablets or computer screens, some Deerfield residents and kids are showing the power of sitting down with a real book.

Once a month during the school year, the community turns into a makeshift library for residents and students from area elementary schools. Deerfield is a part of the ‘Read To Me’ program with West Des Moines Community Schools.

Students bring their favorite book to read aloud, along with interview questions to ask the residents. The kids do a lot of practicing for it.

After the hour of reading and getting to know one another, it’s hard to tell who benefits the most. Residents always enjoy the young and spirited students at the community, and the students learn life lessons that can only be taught by today’s older adults.

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