Summer is undoubtedly a time for sun, rest, and relaxation. It is also the perfect time to foster a lifelong love of reading. Summer reading will keep your child’s mind active and promote the practice of skills learned throughout the previous school year. Just 20 minutes of reading a day will significantly help your child maintain the skills needed for the upcoming year. Reading throughout the summer can inspire a lifelong love of learning. In general, reading is a wonderful way to grow a child’s knowledge base. What better time than summer to pick up a book and dive deep into different worlds, perspectives, and lives? By providing and encouraging an exploration of a variety of stories, genres, and authors, you never know which book will inspire a child and change the way they see the world.
Reading stimulates a child’s ability to understand their emotions in a safe way. Having this skill will help them better understand the emotions of others and how to express their feelings. By reading about how different characters handle various situations, children are able to think more critically during their daily lives, whether it be on the playground, in the classroom, or at home.
Students who read at least five books during the summer can maintain important literacy skills. When children are able to read every day, they are able to maintain what they have learned during the school year. Studies have suggested that children who read consistently throughout the summer demonstrate better vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. It also helps with focus and concentration. There are so many distractions throughout the day which pull our attention in many different directions: social media, video games, and even phones. Reading will consistently boost their ability to concentrate on one task at a time. It is a relaxing activity and will help to give your child’s mind a break.
A study done at the University of Tennessee states that children who don’t read over the summer will lose about two months of reading development. This process is commonly known as the “summer slide.” Nevertheless, students who do read over the summer will gain a month of proficiency in reading.
Reading over the summer is essential for children. Though, it should be fun! Let your child choose what to read. Allowing a child to pick out books that pique their interest will encourage them to read more and make it an enjoyable experience. If children have the opportunity to listen, discuss, and read books on topics they have a hand in selecting, they will develop extensive background information and learn to think critically. This wealth of information will serve as a platform from which to engage in their own independent reading for a lifetime.
It is important to know your child’s reading level before the school year ends. This can be done by talking to your child’s teacher. By knowing where your child’s ability lies, they are able to pick out books that are at the appropriate level. This will eliminate frustration when reading and will make it even more enjoyable. It is okay to let the child pick out books above their reading level, too. These can be the ones you read together. Oftentimes, emergent readers still need encouragement to continue reading and reading together will help foster good literacy practices.
Your local library offers summer reading programs to keep children motivated and encourage them to read as much as they can over the summer. Find a way to incorporate a weekly visit to the library into your routine. Also, there are so many ways to make reading fun in your own home. Choose a quiet space in your home and make it a special reading area. You could have a reading tent or cushions, add twinkle lights or have their favorite stuffed animals available so they can read aloud to them. These are all great ways to motivate your children to read. Studies have shown children who are read to at home and make frequent trips to the library perform better in school and are more than likely to use the library for lifelong learning.
Reading during the summer truly makes a difference during the school year. There is nothing
better than getting “lost” in a book and becoming part of the adventure.
This summer: Dream, Grow, Imagine, and READ!!
