The Very Flannel Dino!

Learning to communicate through reading.

Introducing The Very Flannel Dino! For those who know me, you know I love to read. Over the past couple of years, it has become a mission of mine to inspire reading in the community. While attending reading and writing events for my oldest daughter, I realized the imbalance between boys and girls who are reading. A typical event is filled with about 70-90% girls. I asked teachers, principals, and librarians if it was normal. They said they hadn’t noticed it, but now that it was mentioned, they realized how much reading in the classroom was dominated by girls. Boys are reading less, and that might be because they don’t see many men reading. Regardless of whether it’s boys or girls, the rise of screen time is shaping a society that reads less and less.

At 23, when I became a father, I promised myself that my kids would read. It was something that I struggled with, and I didn’t want my kids to have the same issue. As my family grew, I realized the most effective way to inspire reading was to simply read to my kids. At this point in my life, reading was challenging for me. I couldn’t read a page without tripping over my words and sounding like a beginner. I was lucky to have a wife who did most of the reading for our kids. By the time our twins were born, I was 30 and committed to reading more. I let go of my insecurities, set my feelings aside, stopped worrying about sounding like a child, and just read. Night after night, I would read out loud to my kids. The beginning was difficult, but after some time and lots of practice, I could read a children’s book without sounding like a child.

This newfound confidence in reading propelled me on my current path. Instead of turning on a screen to be entertained, I began picking up a book to become informed. My books of choice were Presidental biographies because I love history and people, which allowed me to study both simultaneously. Through this experience, I was able to peek inside the minds of some of the greatest thinkers to lead our union. I began realizing how those who read were more effective communicators than those who did not. They tended to be more prepared and rational about their decisions. They also were better at articulating their points, which in turn made them more successful leaders. After all, what’s the point of knowing something if you can’t share it with others?

Reading is an essential tool that helps develop communication skills in many ways. Reading introduces individuals to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and ideas, which they can incorporate into their communication. Reading also helps individuals understand the power of language and the nuances of communication, such as tone, inflection, and context. Additionally, reading improves comprehension and critical thinking skills, which are vital for effective communication. Through reading, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives and cultures, enhancing their ability to communicate and connect with others. Finally, reading provides an opportunity for individuals to reflect on their own communication styles and improve their abilities to express themselves clearly and effectively. Proper communication is essential in human relationships. It’s important to ensure the speaker understands what they want to say and how they want to say it. Reading is the most effective way for an individual to learn this skill.

Children in our community are blessed with many different options to learn leadership and team building. Youth sports like baseball, basketball, and football provide valuable team-building and communication skills. Both boys and girls in our community are heavily involved in these different activities. However, I’ve found less of a community and structure built around reading. I don’t want kids to give up their competitive endeavors and focus on reading. I want those who want to read or have their kids read an opportunity to grow their skills and meet others who share the same passion. I understand how difficult it can be as a parent to be everything to your child. I would struggle to teach my kids to swim because I’m a poor swimmer and do not have the time or availability to enhance my skills well enough to teach. So, what do I do? I sign them up for a swim league. If you’re a parent out there who wants your kid to read but may not feel equipped to help your child in that endeavor, The Very Flannel Dino is for you.

The Very Flannel Dino will partner with small businesses, public, private, and home schools in the community to put on free reading events for children. The age range we serve now is elementary school, but we will grow the program to include middle and high schoolers. The program will engage kids through reading exercises, conversations, and writing. Each child who attends an event will walk away with a book donated by Hardhits Community Branding. By providing a fun environment and a male role model for kids, the goal is to inspire boys and girls of all ages in our community to enjoy the gifts of reading.

The first stand-alone event will be held on May 27th at Great Mane Brewery in Haymarket from 12 pm-1 pm. If you want to attend, please visit the Great Mane Facebook page and RSVP. If you are interested in booking an event, please email jeffmayhugh@hardhits.net.