May is National Get Caught Reading Month and a nationwide public service campaign to promote reading across all age groups. Reading is an important activity for children and adults and has now proven to be beneficial for our mental health.

With so many distractions that take away valuable time from reading, Get Caught Reading Month is a chance to press the restart button. It allows everyone to explore the wonders and relaxing activity of simply grabbing a good book and reading for enjoyment.

If you are looking to learn more about the national Get Caught Reading Month, then search no further. This guide will provide you with information on how the Get Caught Reading Month came about and what are some fun activities you can participate in. We also have a great list of books you can order online to get a head start on your summer reading.

About Get Caught Reading Month

Get Caught Reading Month is a national campaign that was initiated by the Association of American Publishers in 1999. Its aim was simple: to remind people of all ages to read. The month is marked annually in May, but reading activities are held throughout the year where celebrities join the campaign to promote reading. In addition to this, 200 members of the United States Congress endorsed the campaign. With libraries, schools, teachers, and parents across the nation, promoting reading, the Get Caught Reading Month has become a nationwide movement that has gained momentum throughout the years and is now sponsored by Every Child a Reader.

Why is Reading So Important for everyone of all Ages

The aim of national Get Caught Reading Month is to reinforce the importance of reading amongst all age groups.

Often people wonder what kind of benefits reading for enjoyment has. It is important to look at the mental, emotional, and even physical benefits of reading to recognize why this month is so important:

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

The easiest way to reduce stress in your life? Read. It helps to calm yourself down and relieve anxiety. So much so, that doctors are now using it to treat patients who they believe suffer from depression, stress, and anxiety. There is even a medical term for this treatment: Bibliotherapy.

Helps You Get to Sleep at Bedtime

Reading books can help you wind down at night. We often turn to our phones or IPad before we go to bed not realizing that the blue light of these devices suppresses the release of melatonin disrupting your sleep cycle. A better option is a book that actually lowers your blood pressure and controls your breathing. All good things you want to have to happen before you hit the sack.

Stimulates Your Brain

Your brain is like any other part of your body that needs regular exercise. Think of reading books as an exercise for your brain. When we read we are exercising that part of our brain that needs to follow words and memorize. It helps you build your vocabulary and can improve your communication skills over time. Students who read regularly tend to do better in school and, as adults can communicate more clearly.

Increases Empathy

Reading can help you emphasize. If you read books, you will be able to learn about other people’s beliefs and feelings. Over a period, this will make you be able to empathize with other people in real life. If you read fiction novels, you will be able to understand people better according to the Theory of Mind. The theory states that understanding other people’s state of mind and mental mood is a skill that is called the Theory of Mind. Reading fiction books can help you build this important ski

Helps with Mental Illness

Reading helps with mental illness and, this is a known fact. Psychologists are now discovering how reading can help you deal with many emotional and mental issues. As mentioned previously, Bibliotherapy is now a recognized and known treatment that psychologists are using to treat their patients. The simple act of reading a book can make a difference in one’s mind and emotional state.

Reduces Risk of Dementia

Another great advantage of reading is that it actually can reduce dementia in old age. Reading stimulates the parts of the brain that make your brain active. It has been found that those who do not read are 2.5 times more likely to develop dementia. But, it is a good idea to start reading now to ward off any risks of Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

May Help You Live Longer

Reading can help you live longer. It is a fact; a study has found that people who read more than 3.5 hours a week live 23 months longer compared to non-reading participants.  The study proved true across income levels, race, educational background, and gender. With the many advantages listed above, it is no wonder that reading can improve your mental and emotional well-being.

What Activities Can You Do to Mark Get Caught Reading Month?

If you are looking for activities that you can do to mark Get Caught Reading Month, then look no further. We have a great list of fun activities you can do with your kids or even by yourself.

It is always a good idea to get your family and community involved when trying to plan activities like these. The more people that are involved, the more fun it will be for everyone. Leading up to Get Caught Reading Month, you can start sharing on your social media pages why the month is so important.

Let us get to it:

Conduct a Book Reading Competition

You can conduct a book reading competition amongst your close group of friends by having everyone read the same book and then host a quiz night. Make some popcorn and invite everyone over to go through some quiz cards. Whoever gets the most right wins a cool prize like a Barnes and Noble gift card.

Arrange a Yard Sale for Books

Why not hold a yard sale of all the old books you have that you always wanted to get rid of. You can invite your neighbors and community to also contribute books, and hold them on a weekend so that everyone can attend. This is a great activity to get kids involved when it comes to sorting and stacking books.

Have an Author Visit School or Local Library

Invite an author to come and visit your child's school or the local library. You can hold a book reading session with a question-and-answer time afterwards. Advertise the event widely across all of your social media channels and get your friends to share.

Organize a Book Drive

Do you know a youth center or non-profit that could use some books for their clients? Why not hold a book drive and invite everyone in your community to contribute books that can be donated to the charitable organization. This is a great way to get everyone involved in giving everyone the chance to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure.

What is the Get Caught Reading Month Challenge?

The challenge like every year is to be caught reading. Wherever you are, you should be prepared for this challenge. If you have a few minutes of free time, if you are prepared, you can participate in the Get Caught Reading challenge by simply reading.

Here are some quick tips to make sure that happens:

• Keep reading material in your car so that whenever you have free time and are waiting you can take out your magazines or book.
• Reduce usage of electronic devices like your phone and iPad for this month, and check out some great books from your local library.
• Get caught reading to your children by creating a nice cozy place where you can all gather to read each day.
• Try to place books in every room in your house, so that you can easily grab one when you need to.
• Enjoy books when you go outdoors in the park or even sitting in your yard.

The whole point of the Get Caught Reading challenge is to create a habit of reading that you can continue throughout the year. By making a conscious effort to have books available at all times, you can ensure that you and your family members will have every opportunity to read and enjoy them.

Books to Read for Get Caught Reading Month

Here is a great list you can refer to if you are looking for books to read for getting Caught Reading Month. These books are available online and can be easily purchased.

1. Yes! Life It Is
2. Hazel G
3. The Adventures of Hanger Boy
4. 43 Days of Reflections and Ruminations
5. The Sword and The Scalpel
6. Bean Fate
7. All Told
8. Pathway to Glory

Make Get Caught Reading a Lifelong Habit

There you have it. A complete list of activities you can do with your friends and family to mark Get Caught Reading. Reading is something that should be done daily and is a great habit to pass on to your children. Reading as indicated above can lead to the overall wellness of being and improve your emotional and mental state of mind.

With May already underway it is never too late to catch up on your summer reading. Grab a few great books and get started today!

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