Reading is a fundamental skill that can help children and students develop other lifelong skills. According to a survey from YouGov, almost nine in ten American adults say that when they were growing up, they read books. These books spanned various genres, including mystery and crime (40%), fantasy (36%), science fiction (36%), and young adult (30%). At the same time, survey results indicate that the proportion of people who say that when they read books growing up decreases with age. In short, the more recent an American’s childhood, the less likely it was to involve reading books.
On the other hand, digital technology advancements have made books and reading a lot more accessible for both children and adults. Nowadays, readers can easily find various titles and genres of ebooks on Everand, an ebook and audiobook subscription service. These include titles like The Red Balloon and The Snake Charmer — both of which we feature in our reading-themed assembly called The Magic Bookshelf as a way to motivate kids to seek out stories and the joy of reading. With digital access to books like these, kids can participate in reading and book discussions without worrying about where they can buy the titles.
Given the increased accessibility to reading and books, schools and adults must foster an encouraging environment where children are motivated and intrigued to read and read more. In this post, we’ll introduce how school assembly shows, when done right, can help promote reading among children:
One of the key things shared by school assembly shows and reading is the penchant for interactive storytelling. Through assembly shows, performers can bring to life stories and narratives only known through books. Teachers may find it challenging to motivate children to read in a regular classroom setting. In a past post titled “Unlocking the Potential in Elementary Education”, we highlighted how bringing in talented outsiders to teach the same concepts via performance in assemblies can encourage kids to be more attentive and absorb new information.
At the same time, assembly shows can boost creativity and imagination by providing kids with a new avenue for self-expression and confidence, giving them a platform to overcome inhibitions and actively participate. Elements of interactive storytelling in assembly shows can help kids participate more in their learning process and may lead them to seek out their own learning — by reading.
Another way that assembly shows can help encourage reading among children is by holding themed assemblies. Often, schools can plan themed assembly shows in commemoration of certain dates or local celebrations. For example, schools may work with a local zoo to bring in animals for kids to see. Likewise, in the spirit of promoting reading, schools can work with local libraries or bookstores for a book-themed assembly show.
These can also include guest appearances from local or known authors so that kids can learn about books from the other end of the business. Part of our lineup of curriculum shows — the 45-minute show The Magic Bookshelf — features classic titles that motivate kids to read, like The Cat in the Hat, or the aforementioned The Red Balloon. Through these reading assemblies, students can learn about authors, genres, and the art of reading in an immersive experience.
Finally, combining the two ideas above — assembly shows can also be a way to offer book character performances. These can be planned to look like mini theater performances focused on books or book characters that kids are familiar with, from superheroes to demigods and knights in fantasy books. For many young children, character performances in assemblies are likely their first exposure to the art of theater and performance and can provide a more enriching experience beyond reading.
Experts have long praised the benefits of introducing children to theater, including boosting SAT scores and significantly improving creative thinking and originality. Other research has also shown that theater kids demonstrate improved reading comprehension, including reading strategy and a more positive attitude toward reading. While assembly shows aren’t always theater-like, planning specific book character performances and avenues for storytelling can be a great way to keep kids engaged and motivated to read more.
To learn more about our reading assembly shows which also include our campout themed Adventures in Reading show, please click below or call Doug Scheer at (248) 891-1900.