At Memphis Striving Readers, we are committed to fostering literacy within our community. We invite you to connect with us through various channels to stay updated on our programs and initiatives.
Whether you are interested in tutoring, attending family reading nights, or volunteering, we are here to help you get involved. Your support plays a crucial role in promoting literacy across Memphis.
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or to learn more about our activities. We are always eager to assist you in your journey to support literacy in our community.
Explore the many ways to engage with us:
- Tutoring: Join us in providing personalized reading support to children.
- Family Reading Nights: Participate in our events that encourage families to read together.
- Volunteer Training: Become a volunteer and receive training to make a difference.
Thank you for your interest in Memphis Striving Readers. Together, we can make a positive impact on literacy in Memphis.
Reading When the Air Conditioning Goes Out
Anyone who has spent a summer in Memphis knows how quickly a home, classroom or community room can become unbearable when the air conditioning fails. Heat does more than make people uncomfortable. It makes it harder to concentrate, shortens attention spans and leaves young readers tired and irritable. For families working on reading at home, a broken unit in July can quietly derail weeks of steady progress. A few practical adjustments can keep reading going without turning it into a struggle.
Shift reading to the cooler hours
Early morning and late evening are usually the most comfortable times on a hot day. A short session of fifteen or twenty minutes before the afternoon heat builds often achieves more than a longer one squeezed in at the hottest point. Reading aloud together after sunset, on a porch or by an open window, can become a relaxed routine rather than a chore.
Keep sessions short and comfortable
- Offer water before and during reading time, and take breaks when a child seems drowsy or flushed.
- Choose lighter material, such as picture books, comics, poems or favourite rereads, when energy is low.
- Use fans, shade and loose clothing, and move to the coolest room in the house.
- Swap independent reading for listening when focus fades. Hearing a story still builds vocabulary and comprehension.
Look for cool public spaces
Public libraries and community centres across the city are air-conditioned and welcome families. They can be a good place for homework help, quiet reading or simply a break from the heat. Check opening times before you go, and keep an eye on local announcements about cooling centres during heat advisories. Our resources page lists general reading tools families can use wherever they are.
Safety comes first
Children and older adults are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness. If anyone shows signs such as dizziness, headache, nausea or confusion, stop reading, move to a cooler place and seek medical advice. A missed session can always be made up later.
If heat or other disruptions are making it hard to keep up with tutoring or reading nights, please get in touch. Volunteers can often suggest flexible ways to stay on track.