Summer is an important time for children and teens to keep reading and improve their language skills. Kids who don’t read over the summer see their reading abilities stagnate or decline. As they get older, they are more at risk of falling behind their classmates.
Why is it important to read over the summer?
Summer reading is critical to a child’s ability to not only retain information learned the previous year, but also to grow in knowledge and retain critical thinking skills. Studies have shown that children who don’t read over the summer lose at least two months of reading development, often called the “summer slide” or the “summer learning loss.”
Keep your child reading over the summer with these tips:
- Encourage your children to read a book they enjoy for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Provide incentives for reluctant readers. For example, if your child enjoys swimming, agree to take them to the local pool if they do their daily reading.
- Make reading a social act. Many local libraries have summer reading programs for children, teens and even adults! Establish a time during the day when all members of the family gather and read together, or take turns reading the same book aloud.
- Connect reading to your family outings. If you take your kids to the zoo, consider reading a book about one of the animals you saw there later that day. The outing can help place the reading into a broader context.
Don’t forget to keep reading fun! Give your child the opportunity to choose books on their own as well. This can help keep reading interesting and inviting.
Check out the links below for summer reading programs at your local library or contact them directly to see what programs are available:
Washington County Cooperative Library Services
This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.
