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School Bets on Books to Beat Childhood Obesity

Balancing on one foot with your eyes closed is not easy, particularly when reading. But in a Literacy+Exercise session, students at the Nathan Hale School in Roxbury, Mass. did exactly that. They also learned about the body's balancing (vestibular) system. At the Hale, Literacy+Exercise, created by children's author Irene Smalls, teaches reading through exercise. "Literacise", Smalls says, "has three integrated parts:

1. a book

2. exercise and

3. an explanation of how the body learns".

"The goal of the program", says Smalls, "is to reduce childhood obesity and improve achievement.

Additionally, by explaining the brain-body-book connection children become stakeholders in their own health and learning." With the Literacy+Exercise approach children hop, ballet step and reggae walk with, Jonathan and His Mommy. They take yoga positions for My Daddy is a Pretzel. And, they dance an old style cakewalk for Mirandy and Brother Wind. Literacise lessons have included: irish step dancing, cake walking, square dancing, tai chi, yoga, double dutch and more.

The exercise approach to achievement is supported by scientific research. In his book, Spark, Dr. John Ratey of Harvard Medical School says "exercise optimizes brain function". Additionally, there is a growing body of research showing that "physically fit students do better in school" and "exercise stimulates the formation of new brain cells. Author Smalls says, "the Centers for Disease Control recommends 60 minutes a day of exercise for children. By infusing physical activity throughout the school day students have more time to exercise their bodies improving their minds".

Smalls piloted the Literacise concept for six months at the main branch of the public library in downtown Boston. Using her book, Jonathan and His Mommy, she and her team created, Literacise - the exhibit, a 3D interactive English/Spanish reading experience. See the video at: http://bit.ly/bcIGym

Author Smalls is a graduate of Cornell University with an MBA in marketing and Behavioral Science from New York University. She is the award-winning author of five books for children and three storytelling CDs. Smalls is also a storyteller with twenty years of experience in classrooms around the world. She lives in Boston, Mass. For further information see www.literacise.com or contact Ms. Smalls directly at info@literacise.com