Experts say that children’s reading skills tend to drop during the summer months.
Research shows that children who don’t read during the summer, especially reluctant readers and at-risk students, can lose up to three months of reading progress.
The good news is that summer reading loss can easily be prevented. Reading as few as six books over the summer will help young children maintain their reading levels. The more they read, the better readers they become.
The experts say the keys to success are letting kids know that reading is important, and making time to read together and providing plenty of reading material for them to dig into. (Look for the Learning & Literacy Bright Blue Book shelf at the Ridge which is a free book exchange program.) Other tips for keeping your children engaged are:
Be a Model – children copy their parents behavior. When they see you reading, they become eager to read as well.
Use the Library – Check out the summer reading program for children and encourage them to enroll.
Link the books to summer activities – If you are traveling, have your child read about the area you are going to and research what activities are available in the area. If they enjoy baseball, have them read a book about baseball.
Link the books to movies – Have them read the book first, then see the movie.
Provide time for them to read – pick a night to turn off the TV and the computer and pick up a book. Discuss each others books. Make sure they bring a book along on holidays.
Provided by Learning & Literacy. For more information contact your local coordinator – Barb Gordon 250-672-2111.