Momentum in learning is essential. Ask any teacher how tough it is to reengage kids in the learning process at the beginning of each new school year, and you’ll begin to see the importance of summer reading. Understandably, kids need a break from the rigors of school during the summer, but putting reading on the shelf could cost them when they return to school.
Here are some tips on how to get reading integrated into summer activities and prevent the summer reading slide many students experience.
1. Develop a reading routine
Reading daily as a routine will consistently boost your child’s reading skills. Here are some ideas for making reading a routine:
- Read to your children each night before they go to bed.
- Require your children to read for an appropriate period of time each day before they can enjoy screen time.
2. Cultivate a habit of going to the library
The public library’s summer reading program offers kids great incentives for reading throughout the summer. The variety of books available at the library make summer reading an adventure kids can look forward to.
3. Use road trips to enjoy reading adventures
One way to boost reading comprehension is through audio books. And what better time to enjoy audio books than on summer vacation or weekend road trips with your kids. Let their imaginations feast on descriptive audio books such as Anne of Green Gables, Better Nate Than Ever, Save Me a Seat, A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary, Hidden Figures Young Readers Edition, Ramona Quimby Collection, and The Hobbit.
4. Seize every opportunity to read
Utilize everyday activities to boost your child’s reading skills. Ask them to read the recipe as you make dinner at night. Invite them to read up on the best places to go for summer fun locally, then follow through by enjoying events together.
5. Boost a child’s love for books
Take regular trips to The Gathering Place to enjoy the playground, and while you’re there, participate in the drop-in play activities at the Boathouse. Promote learning through participation in the 20-minute Story Time at the Reading Tree to boost listening skills, language, and literacy.
6. Check regularly for reading comprehension
Each evening as you gather at the dinner table, ask your children about the reading they did that day. Simple questions such as the following will verify reading comprehension:
- “Why do you think the story took that turn?”
- “What may happen next in that story?”
- If your child just finished a book: “What are some other possible endings to that story?”
7. Enjoy learning through reading
Help your child identify what they really enjoy, and gently guide them to pick books to read that cultivate learning in that field. For example, if your child wants to be a fireman, pick out some great titles at the library about firemen. If your child is interested in travel, gather books about various locations around the world.
8. Set boundaries on screen time
Set boundaries on your child’s screen time to give them ample opportunity to develop good communication skills and interact face to face with friends and family. Limiting screen time gives children more reasons to cultivate creativity, play outside, boost physical fitness, and cultivate reading skills by making reading a habit.
9. Reach out if reading is difficult
If your child struggles with reading, rather than taking the summer off, realize that summer creates the perfect window for you to reach out and enroll your child in a reading program to help them improve and strengthen reading skills. Your child can master reading skills and return to school with confidence that will help them succeed in a variety of subjects.
Keep Momentum in Reading This Summer
Read Smart helps kids keep momentum in reading throughout the summer. Why not exchange the possibility of losing ground academically with the opportunity to move forward with a solid reading program for your child this summer?
Many kids don’t read as well as they could. That’s why Read Smart created a program that helps improve reading skills. Read Smart helps pre-K—6th grade students from Tulsa and the surrounding area master skills needed to read at an advanced level, strengthening the foundation for all other learning. Get a free reading evaluation today.
