9 ways to keep your child reading this summer

For most children, summer vacation is a time for staying up late, sleeping in, playing video games for hours each day, and doing as much of  “nothing” as is humanly possible! They want to get as much of this done as they can before school starts in the fall. Parents (educators too) need to be sure that children are not falling into the depths of summer vacation and experiencing “summer slide”. Extensive research has been done, and the results conclude that children who read on a regular basis during the summer can improve their reading level and fluency. Lack of or no reading at all during the summer can make a student’s transition to the next grade level somewhat difficult, so why not find creative ways to get your child engaged in reading during summer vacation? It can only help! 

Here are some tips regarding how to help your child become committed to reading during the summer and school year as well.

1. Schedule weekly trips to the library
2. Let your child select reading material that interests them (some may already have required summer reading, so free choice is a good thing..they will be more receptive to reading if they feel they have control over what they read)
3. Read to/with your child (if they are a beginning reader)...you can also let beginning readers experience print media on their own sometimes (e.g them looking at and flipping pages)...early exposure is important
4. For young/emerging readers (attend story hour at the local library), for older readers attend readings/plays at local libraries/bookstores
5. Attend “meet the author events” at small, local bookstores(often times the author will stay for a Q&A session)
6. Encourage your child to read in bed (let them stay up late sometimes if they agree to read in bed)
7. Use reading as a bedtime routine (read a predetermined number of pages or a chapter each night)
8. Have your child do a creative book report on a book or books they read during the summer. There are many formats that are creative and fun. Click here for ideas to get you started or think of your own original idea for presenting a book report
9. Most of all, be a model. Always read in front of your child and encourage them to read any/everythin