Reading is a great way to reduce stress and practice self-care. It can also be an excellent form of professional learning. In this episode of the Cultivating Connection podcast, we share the benefits of reading, what we’re currently reading, how to make more time in your schedule for reading and a fun opportunity for reading + professional learning.
Benefits of Reading
- Reading changes your brain
- Reading increases your ability to feel empathy
- Reading lowers stress levels
- Reading is a great alternative to screen time
- Reading helps families bond
Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/585137/6-benefits-reading-every-day
Listen to the Full Podcast Episode
Ep 28: PhD Program Update with Devon – Cultivating Connection with KG Education
Strategies for making time to Read
Making time to get lost in a good book can be a challenge! But when you consider the benefits to your brain AND your mental health, it is so worthwhile to squeeze in a few minutes of reading a day. Try out a few of these suggestions:
- Read first thing in the morning or before bed
- Have reading material readily available: place a book beside your bed or where you eat breakfast
- Make the most of your commute by listening to audiobooks
- Commit to reading a small amount each day: one newspaper article, ten minutes, one chapter, or ten pages
- Read what you love: find material that you enjoy reading–favourite authors, genres, or topics help engage us as readers!
Reading tech tools we love
We use Goodreads to track what we read and find new recommendations and we love listening to audiobooks on Audible!
What are you currently reading?
Devon: I usually travel to Cuba every winter and teach yoga on the beach. I am really missing that. I recently read Next Year in Havana and When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton. They are historical romance that I couldn’t put down. They go between late 1950s during the Cuban revolution and present day. If you are longing for some tropical vibes, check these books out. I also recently re-read Super Attractor by Gabby Bernstein.
Leah: I just finished Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff. It’s all about showing up in the world in a way that exemplifies kindness and love. I would say the genre is religious/spiritual and it’s filled with touching and often funny stories about how we can strive to be better people in our everyday lives. I’m currently reading Written in My Own Heart’s Blood from the Outlander series, by Diana Gabaldon. I’ve been working my way through the series over the last several years (and now watching the Netflix series.) If you haven’t read the series, they are historical fiction with time travel and romance all wrapped into one beautiful story. Our community book club is reading a classic, Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann. I’d call it chic-lit. It’s the fictional story of 3 young women who meet in New York and work in the entertainment industry. It was published in 1966, but it’s still very relevant today. If you’re looking for a fun read, order yourself a copy!
What is your favourite book of all time?
Devon: Some of my favourite books are the Nancy Drew series. As an adult, my favourite is Gone with the Wind.
Leah: I can’t pick just one!
What’s a professional learning book that influenced your practice?
Leah: The Daily 5 by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser
Devon: Guided Reading by Fontas & Pinnell
Join us for the KG Education Teacher Book Club in 2021.
We are organizing an online book study for educators, including live video calls and asynchronous discussion in Flipgrid. We are excited to bring together a community of teachers to learn, share and connect. Teacher Book Club starts on February 22. You can get on the waitlist for book club to receive notification (and a special offer) when registration opens!
Stay in Touch
If you’d like to stay in touch with us, subscribe to our newsletter for ideas and inspiration on teaching, technology-integration and teacher wellness.
Find us on Facebook or Instagram