For many families, summer means a break, but does that mean a break from learning, as well? It shouldn’t!
By doing so, it only hinders your child when school starts again. That is why you should take some time to keep your child engaged in learning, specifically reading, because studies have shown that kids who excel in reading will do better in all other subject matters.
Here are some ways on How To Keep Your Child Interested In Reading This Summer
Read with your child daily
This will show them a great example of reading, makes it a family thing, and you can gauge just how well they are reading.
Turn off the TV for at least a few hours a day
Tell your kids to pick up a book, a magazine, or even the newspaper- anything that will get them to reading!
Ask kids what they want to read
Your interests may not be their interests, and letting them choose what they want increases their likelihood of reading.
Discuss the books you read with your child
This will help you know if they understand the material, and it helps them to discuss words and concepts they may not quite grasp. The more they understand about what they’re reading, the more likely they are to stick with it.
Don’t limit yourself to books to teach reading skills
As you cook, tell your kids about what you’re doing and use new words so they begin to learn a larger vocabulary and enjoy words. When they read these words, they will be excited because they already know what it means.
Visit the library
There are other kids there and things to do, as well as countless books to read. It’s an adventure for the whole family! Every time you go, each person should leave with at least two books.
Try positive reinforcement
Once your child has completed a book, reward them with a gold star, praise, and a small treat you can enjoy together.
Make books easily accessible
The TV remote is easy to pick up and use. Are the books in your home just as easy to get to? If not, make them easy to reach so kids will actually pick them up and read.
Any other ways on How To Keep Your Child Interested In Reading This Summer? I’d love to hear them.
I have 2 kids that enjoy reading but I do have to ask them to do it daily or they forget. I have one that is still learning to read and doesn’t want to learn to read for herself but enjoys me reading to her. I will have to try more of these tips out.
i like reading this article as it is important to teach kids how to read during summers as they often feel like going out and playing. Its important to teach kids as they too like watching a lot of tv and wasting their time doing things not necessary. i make them listen to rhymes and play with them as well as read stories that excite them and they like paying attention to.
WE HAVE TWO BLOCKS FROM US A FREE BOOK BANK. EVERY DAY A CHILD IS ALLOWED TO VISIT AND TAKE HOME TO KEEP ONE BOOK. THE PARENT WITH THE CHILD IS ALLOWED ONE BOOK TOO!
VERY HANDY!
This is really helpful for me, I have an 8 year old who would rather watch TV or go online as opposed to reading despite my encouragement to read, thank you for posting this!
I think this is an excellent post. My boys love to read and the younger one loves getting new books so we read books all the time. We are reading Weedflower together right now. But they also do their independent reading, but I can not imagine going without reading to them daily. They love it and it brings quiet time and peace in our home.
Our library has a great summer program where kids of all ages can earn prizes for reading books. They also have story time.
This is a really great post! I don’t have children myself, but I know that my Grandfather taking the time to read with me really helped me with learning, imagination and understanding. I used to adore the library when I was younger. It was a magical place. Reading is not only important, but is so fun! I think it’s pressed that reading has to do with un-fun things, so it’s important to nip that theory in the bud early on 😉
Thank you for sharing this article, reading is important and helps the learning process. It also keeps the mind active.
These are such good suggestions. I am taking care of my two young grandchildren and this is an important summer activity. Thank you for sharing
We always start the summer with good intentions of reading but… Thanks for the great ideas!
These are great tips. I always encourage my kids read and try to lead by example.
I read to my granddaughter every night before she goes to bed. It is so important!!
I agree with you. I think that children should keep reading during summer vacation. Take them to your town library let them pick out a book. Stay there for awhile in the quiet atmosphere and have them do some reading. Bring a book home with you and have them read some at home. You can read with them..When they finish the book. Time for another library trip.
I have always had a love of reading. Luckily my children do too. You can learn so much, or just escape for a while.
I Really enjoyed this Blog b/c it was Actually Helpful & Informative! I do not have Children of my own but I have 2 Nephews and 1 Niece! They Come to visit a lot during the Summer and I am always looking for ways to Entertain them! When I was Little my Absolute Favorite thing to do was Go to the Library and My Mom would Read to me! Well Not Much has Changed b/c Reading is Still My Favorite thing in the Whole World and How I wind Down or DeStress! My Nephews and Niece on the Other hand don’t want any part of it! The Whole time they are here they play Video Games or Stay on the Computer! I wouldn’t mind if they even read a Book Online but they are more Concerned with Writing about things online that are Meaningless in my Opinion! Why do Teenagers or Kids Text or Write about what they had for Lunch, what color Top they are Wearing, what their Celebrity Crush ate for Dinner 3 Weeks ago, or what kind of soda they are Drinking! They can Literally talk about these things for Hours at a Time! When I was Younger we didn’t have Cell Phones & Computers but we were Never Bored and we were Always Happy! We used our Imagination & Played Outside! We would Read Book after Book during Summer Months! I can’t even get them to go Outside or go with me to the Library! Times have Changed but I am Not Throwing in the Towel Yet! I WILL get them to read a Book Somehow and I will try your Tips Out! Thanks for Caring about Kids Education & How it’s Important to Continue Reading in the Summer! I Really Enjoy your Blogs! Have a Great Day & a Great Summer! God Bless! Jana Williams
Thank you for your kind words Jana
Great ideas. I am all for reading and advocate it in my house. My youngest granddaughter is an avid reader and we spend much time at the bookstore choosing books for her to read.
It is very important that as a parent. To keep our children mind active doing the summer. this is great advise
First of all Thank you for the article because I have slacked down myself with it,but I am going to take them to the Library where they can pick out their own books and interests before school.
Thank you for your post. I have one child who loves to read and another who I pull my hair out trying to get her to read. Reading, especially over the summer is such a benefit for the kids so I will keep trying to get her interested.
I was just thinking that with our nice summer weather, my kids aren’t reading as much so this article was very timely. Your ideas are so child centered and fun.
My daughter is 7 and loves to read! We usually do 2 summer reading programs, but this year we just did one. She will be going into 2nd grade and I didn’t want to force her to read to much. Last summer when I was still doing most of the reading, she didn’t mind listening to me for hours. This summer with her doing the reading, I had to use some more creative ways to encourage reading. She loves to read, and will do it on her own, but she is a kid and likes to have fun as well. I love the tips in this post! I will for sure being using them now!
Summer should definitely be fun for them as well 🙂
Thanks for the ideas! I have 2 kiddos that I can use them on!
Interesting guide that kids will surely love and learn. Thanks for it.