For Parents and Educators: “Why Reading to Your Child—or Your Class—is One of the Greatest Gifts We Can Give”

Kim Jocelyn Dickson, author of “The Invisible Toolbox: The Power of Reading to Your Child from Birth to Adolescence,” explains why the simple act of reading aloud from birth has a far-reaching impact on our children, as well as the culture at large, that few of us fully understand and that our recent nearly universal saturation in technology has further clouded its importance.

Drawing on over thirty years in the elementary classroom, her own parenting experience, and the latest research in neuroscience, Kim shows that the relational bond and the neurological growth that are nurtured through reading aloud form the structure of every child’s Invisible Toolbox, equipping them with foundational tools and the motivation necessary for success in school and beyond. Participants will not only learn what these tools are, they’ll be inspired to put the power and pleasure of reading aloud into practice.

For Kids: “The Superpowers We Create When We Read for Fun”

In her presentation designed for young audiences, “The Invisible Toolbox: The Superpowers We Create When We Read for Fun,” Kim teaches elementary school kids that we humans can develop superpowers too. When we read for fun we fill up our Invisible Toolboxes with tools that make us smarter and make learning more fun.

Through storytelling, examples, and even a dash of neuroscience, children will learn that reading for fun grows their vocabulary, expands their worlds beyond home, makes school and homework easier for them, and more! Kids will be inspired to learn that famous and successful people they know built their own Invisible Toolboxes by reading for fun when they were young—and that it made all the difference for them.

To schedule a presentation with Kim contact her at kimjdickson@gmail.com.