7 Ways To Inspire Summer Reading
Studies suggest that children who read as few as six books over the summer maintain the level of reading skills they achieved during the preceding school year. And of course, reading more than that is even better! When kids are provided with 10 to 20 self-selected children's books at the end of the regular school year (though we realize, this year was far from regular), as many as 50 percent not only maintain their skills, but actually make reading gains.
And listen, summer reading does not need to be a slog! Here are some ideas to make reading part of your summer fun:
1. Check your local library’s summer reading initiatives
Even amidst COVID-19, many libraries are trying to offer ways to engage around summer reading. Check your library’s website and social media feeds for updates. And if your kid is looking for reading recommendations, reach out to your local librarians! Even though libraries are closed right now for foot traffic, there are librarians staffing and responding to queries!
2. Support local bookstores
In an ideal world, summer is a great time to browse and shop local bookstores, whether near home or on vacation. Allowing kids to browse and shop for new books makes the excitement about reading even greater given that self-selection is so important when it comes to motivation to read! Check in with your local bookstore to support them, or if you prefer to shop online and still support local bookstores, you can check out our editor Christine Koh’s Bookshop recommendations.
3. Have your kid read to you
When kids learn to read, there's a new level of independence and summer is also a great time to take advantage of the slower pace and have some of your together time include your child reading to you. This is also a great way to figure out what books will be at the right reading level for your kids. Here's a quick guide for how students are taught to select "just right" books for their reading level in school.
Too easy: No challenging words; they can read it quickly without errors. It is phrased and fluent, meaning that it sounds enjoyable to listen to if read aloud by your child.
Too hard: There are many words your child doesn't know or gets stuck on. Reading is slow and lacks flow when read aloud. Try the 5-finger test: Choose a random page. For every word your child gets stuck on or stumbles over, put a finger up. If you get to 5 on a page then it is a bit too hard for them to read independently.
Just right: Most words are just right and every so often a word comes up that takes a little work. The tricky words do not break up the flow of the reading or get in the way of understanding the text. The story is still fluent and sounds enjoyable when read aloud.
4. Try a different reading style
Reading opportunities come in many forms so experiment with different reading styles. For example, if your child typically reads picture books and is reading them fluently, try a short chapter book. Or introduce comic books as a fun reading option. Or try a different genre, like mysteries.
5. Swap books with friends
If you and other families feel comfortable with it, consider socially distant book swaps with friends!
6. start a book club
Looking for ways to connect with your kid while also fostering your own love of reading? Consider starting a mother-daughter book club or a virtual book club with friends!
7. Cozy up together
As kids grow older and more independent with their reading, there's a tendency to just have them go do their own thing. But cozying up and reading together is a wonderful way to have quiet quality time together, model reading habits, and also nurture your own self-care through books.
7 activities to make summer reading fun for kids (and you too!)