The Joys of a Good Story

Dear Friends,

I don’t know about you, but sometimes my smartphone stops me from reading a paper magazine, newspaper, or book. I value reading publications on my phone, but I definitely find it increasingly difficult to make time for reading off screen. I find myself feeling grateful that I didn’t have a smartphone (they weren’t in general use) when my kids were really little. I think it would have been challenging to put it aside.

I was reminded recently by the good ol’ NY Times that reading aloud to kids and modeling reading to oneself is hugely important. Reading picture or chapter books to a child in your life has lasting effects. Not only does this help kids build vocabulary, comprehension, and problem-solving skills, but it also develops their imaginations and provides a shared experience for you and your kid to build upon. You also can use a reading session to help with co-regulation between you and your child. It can be a wonderful way to reset or unwind. There are also so many wonderful audiobooks out there, which are free from the library. If you don’t know the Libby app, ask your librarian about it. Whatever your way, get cozy and comfortable, put aside the other distractions if you can, read and make the time to discuss what you are reading– for fun! It’s not a quiz.

Recently, we listened to Amy Jackson, Lumber Primes teacher extraordinaire, read aloud to the WHOLE SCHOOL from a book called Drumming and Dreaming by Larry Spotted Crow Mann, a member of the Nipmuc Tribe. Amy read the first chapter, “Beginning: Kutche.” It mesmerized us all. We were all one breath. And that’s a memory I won’t soon forget.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I cannot recommend AMY enough, come to think of it.

Do you have a book that makes you feel that way? If so, dust it off, find a kid, and, well… you know what to do.

One breath, 

Charlie Spencer

Head of School