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Oh the dreaded summer slide. We hear about it and know it to be true but there’s nothing carefree in thick packets of work or the colorful cartoony workbooks designed to review concepts as the new school year draws closer. I’m a much bigger fan of integrating learning into the things we’re doing everyday, providing context for the concepts my kids learn in the classroom to help them conceptualize new ideas with some concrete learning but not when it comes to reading. Reading is best when its done often and while it’s important to keep up all skills in the months that there isn’t school, summer reading is one of the most important ways that kids can prevent the dreaded summer slide.
According to Scholastic, reading skills that evaporate during vacation account for 85% of the reading achievement gap between lower-income students and middle- and upper-income classmates. This contributes to cumulative skill losses as kids get older, making it harder for them to ever get back on grade level.
Getting Started with Summer Reading
Since some kids don’t have books assigned to read over the summer, it can be difficult for them to find that just right book. A just right book is one that is perfect for their reading level and is one that captures their interest. It may be an old favorite with dog eared pages from being read time and time again, something entirely new, or a new series that provides endless reading material. It could be a comic book or a magazine. It can be anything. Just get them reading!
Finding Great Books for Kids
If your suggestions are being met with an unenthusiastic face, it’s time to seek out help. Head to the library or the bookstore to ask librarians or knowledgeable staff for their suggestions and have your child spend some time browsing and reading the first couple pages of anything and everything.
Ask fellow parents in person or crowdsource on your Facebook wall for suggestions. Chances are that a good friend will have just finished a book that has become a new favorite that they’re happy to lend.
For more book ideas visit:
- Scholastic’s Page-Turning Summer Book Lists for Every Age & Theme. Tons of suggestions for every age from babies to young adults.
- Common Sense Media’s Essential Books for Kids & Teens. I love how there are 150 book ideas that are broken down into ages. Check out their website and browse titles for 2-6 year olds, ages 7-12, and 13-17 year olds for some new ideas!
- Teen Lit Rocks. Started by two sisters who love to read (and also happen to be mothers,wives, pop-culture junkies and coffee aficionados) Teen Lit Rocks is a great resource for older readers (or parents!) looking for the next page turning book. Co-founder, Sandie Angulo Chen, happens to be a great friend whose advice I always trust and has never led me astray with fabulous book or movie suggestions for myself or our family!
How to Keep Kids Reading During the Summer
From summer programs at local libraries, national bookstores offering new titles for finishing a certain number of books, online summer challenges, and reading timer apps, there’s no shortage of ways to motivate kids to read this summer but sometimes it’s just hard to get started or maintain interest.
Parenting expert, Maggie McGuire (VP of Scholastic Parents Channel – Scholastic.com) provides tips and book choices for all ages this summer in support of the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge. In this minute-long video, Maggie offers parents unique tips to designed to keep your child reading all summer long.
Resources from Scholastic Parents: Keep your kids reading all summer long!
In addition to Maggie’s suggestions, I find that setting achievable goals through trusted programs like Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge seems to work best for our family. I love that Scholastic’s program is flexible, yet motivating. Printables like reading certificates, log sheets, and pledges help maintain interest while booklists provide fresh ideas for new reads to help maintain our kids’ summer reading efforts.
About the Scholastic Summer Reading Program
Each year the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge has a theme and this year it’s “Power Up & Read.” The idea is to encourage kids to read all summer long in order to reach milestones that will help them unlock 12 original short stories by bestselling children’s authors. To encourage families to find innovative ways to discover the power and joy of reading, Scholastic has joined with ENERGIZER® to power this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Parents can sign up kids beginning May 4, 2015 and runs through September 4, 2015.
As part of the “Power the Possibilities” partnership, parents can buy any specially marked pack of Energizer® brand batteries to scratch for a chance to win one of thousands of prizes that will power discovery and learning. Prizes for the Energizer Instant Win Game include a family trip to New York City, a Scholastic Study Corner Makeover, a tablet with Scholastic apps, a library of Scholastic books and more! Everyone who plays can also download free digital stories for their family.
For more information about keeping your kids reading this summer:
- Sign up for the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
- Find more Scholastic Resources to keep your kids reading all summer long!
- Learn more about the Energizer® Instant Win Game
- Follow @Scholastic on Twitter
Images courtesy of Scholastic. I am a member of the Scholastic Circle and receive books and other products from Scholastic for my involvement. All opinions are my own.
It’s so important for them to keep reading during the summer. I don’t make my kids do a lot of worksheets, etc, but I encourage them to read by having a lot of books available and I let them purchase new books on the Kindle when they want one. If they show excitement in reading, I’m thrilled