As kids across the country prepare to head back to
school, parents are focusing on helping their kids get off on
the right foot for the coming school year. Though they used
to be commonplace, summer reading lists have fallen by the
wayside in many school districts.
While summer reading may no longer be mandatory in
many school districts, that doesn't mean kids can't read during
their summer vacations. Parents can greatly improve
their child's chances of starting the school year off on the
right foot by encouraging them to read throughout the summer.
To get kids enthusiastic about summer reading, consider
the following tips, courtesy of the Literary Council of
Alaska.
* Read to and with your child. A daily routine that
includes reading with or to your child can help kids
embrace reading. Kids often look forward to spending time
with Mom and Dad, and will therefore be less likely to see
reading as merely another summer chore.
* Go beyond books. Summer reading doesn't have to be
limited to just books. Kids can gain a lot from reading the
local newspaper, and parents can also subscribe to magazines
tailored to children, such as Sports Illustrated for Kids
or even the classic Highlights magazine for younger children.
* Discuss what you're reading with each other. Engage
children in discussions about the books they're reading. If
you show interest, they're liable to be more interested themselves.
In addition, discuss books you read as a child with
your children.
* Get kids their own library card. Take kids to the library
once or twice a week and let them find their own reading
materials. Kids with their own library cards can even visit
the local library on their own, especially on hot summer
afternoons when the air conditioning at the library can be a
welcoming respite from the summer heat.
* Provide a good example. Kids routinely emulate what
their mothers and fathers do, and much of their behavior is
learned from Mom and Dad as well. Let your kids see you
reading on a regular basis, and they're more likely to
embrace reading as a result. BS097329