PPGJLI Debuts Intergenerational Justice and Friends Reading Circle in Feb. 2022

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Feb. 19, 2022 - PRLog -- Intergenerational reading programs have numerous benefits. It's a method that is the basis of the Justice and Friends Reading Circle being launched by Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI) founder, Dr. Artika Tyner.

"Our goal is to help Black children to find joy in reading," said Tyner. "To achieve this goal, we are using an intergenerational approach that promotes reading and diversity in books."

PPGJLI will host the monthly read-aloud event virtually with a variety of Black authors. Individuals can participate from the comfort and convenience of home. The Justice and Friends Reading Circle will officially launch in Feb. 2022 and will be held every fourth Saturday at 11 a.m.

A wealth of scholarly articles is available in prestigious journals about the benefits of intergenerational reading. It provides a bonding experience, enhanced self-esteem, improved memory, and better decision-making skills, all while promoting literacy.

An exploration of intergenerational reading by Drs. Emi Isaki and Mary Towle Harmon at Northern Arizona University published in Communication Disorders Quarterly, demonstrated that it even affects mood and communication in older adults with neurocognitive deficits, mild dementia, and positively influences school-aged children's perception of older adults.

Before the advent of modern options such as social media and streaming services, reading was an integral part of childhood. Parents and grandparents read to their offspring and grandchildren. It enhanced literacy, developed a love of reading, and inspired youngsters. It was a bonding experience that lived in children's memories for their lifetime.

The Justice and Friends Reading Circle (https://www.ppgjli.org/) launching in Feb. 2022 is a modern adaptation of that experience. It's a unique opportunity for adults and children to gather virtually and hear books read by Black authors, while bonding with parents and grandparents at home in a safe and secure environment.