A high-energy music and comedy show\, Why Reading Rocks! encourages reading and a love of books by engaging kids (an d adults!) with songs\, comedy\, bubbles\, and music technology. \; Be st of all\, it's inclusive for all kids\, including those on the autism sp ectrum. \; Each song is designed to help kids learn\, dance\, sing\, a nd have fun\, all while learning why reading is so important for their fut ure and a great way to spend their free time.
\nThis program is spon sored by the Ocean County Library Foundation.
\n\nAbo ut the Performer: Mr. Matt Mazur co-founded Turtle Dance Music in 2012 as a way to provide inclusive and interactive entertainment for chil dren of all abilities including children\, teens and adults on the autism spectrum.
\nPrior to this\, following a deep love of performing\, Ma tt had already earned his Bachelor&rsquo\;s of Fine Arts in Drama from New York University&rsquo\;s Tisch School of the Arts\, as well as a Master&r squo\;s of Arts in Theatre Studies and Theater For Young Audiences from Mo ntclair State University.
\nInspired by the experiences he was havin g with kids on the spectrum at Turtle Dance Music shows\, he returned to s chool in 2012\, and two years later received a graduate degree in Developm ental Models of Autism Intervention and Early Childhood Development.
\nAs Matt himself puts it: &ldquo\;Learning about autism changed the way that I saw the world and it completely changed the methods and techniques that I used for working with children and teens with developmental disabil ities.&rdquo\;
\nMatt is the co-author of the children&rsquo\;s book Scrak&rsquo\;s Big Adventure\, written with and illustrated by T im Shaw\, an autism advocate and artist and Matt&rsquo\;s brother-in-law. Proceeds from the book go towards scholarship funds for adults with autism to attend local colleges.
\nhttps://theoceancountylibrary.libnet.info/ event/10855096 URL;VALUE=URI:https://theoceancountylibrary.libnet.info/event/10855096 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR