From the article: Summer Reading Fun
With summer reading so important, what have you done that's worked to keep your child reading during the summer? Share Your Tips
Start a summer reading challenge
- Several schools are running reading challenges over the summer, and providing simple yet fun rewards if kids reach a target. The www.reading-rewards.com website makes it easy to run and track! You can learn more here: http://blog.reading-rewards.com/2011/05/run-a-summer-reading-program/
- —Guest Michelle Skamene
Mixed Messages
- I used to teach English in a high school that required summer reading. The kids often complained about summer reading, but each year as the school year came to a close, students would start to ask, "When are we going to get our summer reading?" They secretly looked forward to getting their books. Protests from kids shouldn't alter parents' expectations, either. However, parents can look for ways to make summer reading more fun. One thing that I did that worked well was to have an online chat group, one for each book that was assigned. Talking to each other about the book made reading it more enjoyable and increased their understanding. Parents could easily find online book clubs that would do the same thing for their children.
- —Guest Siouxsie
Be caught reading yourself!
- One of the best ways to encourage young children to love reading is to show them that you love reading also. As parents, we are our children's first and most important mentors, and most children want to do what Mommy and Daddy are doing. From the time my children were very young and during my years as a kindergarten teacher and daycare provider, I read a different picture book story every day and teamed it with an art activity and cooking experience. When I sat down in the story corner, the children couldn't sit down fast enough, eager to listen. My new book, SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD'S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING, pinpoints 100 of those picture book stories every young child should hear and provides a story summary, positive parenting note, eco-friendly craft project and healthful child-friendly recipe for each book title suggestion. Not only does participating positively with your child build his self-esteem, it creates a life-long parent-child bond.
- —VivianKirkfield
Summer Reading Is A Must!
- Summer reading is a must in our household. It is very important to read consistently. I have preached reading to all my children since they were about 2 years old. That makes it much easier to get them to read books when they are able to read on their own. During the school year, they have to read things that are not much fun for them. In the summer, make it fun for them. Let them choose what to read. If you have young readers, it is not important what they are reading as long as they are reading. If you have reluctant readers, keep after them; they will come around. Most importantly, remember to praise your children as this will build their self-esteem. You can never feed a child's ego enough.
- —Guest Scott Constable
Family Book Club
- Our traditional family vacation involves a long trip to get to our destination. I buy four copies of the same book. We all read at our own speed and then have our Book Club meeting at our favorite restaurant on the last night of our vacation. It is so nice to see everyone's head buried into a book!
- —Guest BBB
Reading and Writing=Learning Can Be Fun!
- I used this with my children and look forward to using it with my grandchildren in the next few years: Ask your relatives to send postcards to your children, from their hometown or from vacation spots. Kids adore getting mail and they get to read something other than a book. Encourage them to find more information at the library or on the Internet. And in reverse, get them to send postcards from your vacation spots. Reading and writing=learning can be fun!
- —editorgrandy
Reading Materials Everywhere!
- It varied at different ages, but we usually kept a container of books in the car. One summer, we read books by theme with my son -- started with Babe or Charlotte's Web and went on to other pig books. Sometimes, took turns reading. If reading together and they want to go ahead and read more on their own, let them! Don't think it always has to be books or fiction -- I'd pick up magazines at different reading levels that matched my kids interests -- then, just left them around where they'd see them. Computer or gaming mags for son, teen mags for daughter at reluctant ages even if I didn't like them! (The mags I mean!) Have reading materials in a magazine rack in the bathroom. We'd go to a bookstore and I'd choose books for them, but always let them choose at least one themselves, no matter how junky I thought it was -- they usually made good choices and would talk me into one or two more! Both kids excelled in English and writing. Let them read series books -- a proven good.
- —dreaan2
New Reading Incentive Program
- I've created a website for my kids and their friends, where they log-in, track their reading and earn privileges in a Fun and Games section (only if they read!). There's lots more there and lots more in the works, as well! Our kids love it and have surprised us all by how much more time they have spent reading! It's still a work in progress, but you are all more than welcome to have a look and register your kids. It's free. www.reading-rewards.com
- —Guest Michelle Skamene
Horrid Henry
- As an employee of a children's imprint, this may sound self-serving, but the series we have that has most inspired reluctant readers is Horrid Henry. Each book is divided into four short chapters, each a story in itself. This gives kids a sense of accomplishment at the end of each story. Additionally, the storylines are fun and the protagonist (Henry) is very naughty... and who doesn't love reading about that! The illustrations by Tony Ross also make it a fantastic read.
- —Guest Paul Samuelson
Summer Reading Success
- When my 3 children were in early elementary grades, we were planning a vacation to Atlanta, Ga. I had two goals: They needed to earn their own spending money, and I wanted them to continue their new-found love for reading. I told them I would pay them a penny a page for each page they read that summer. If they got on the trip and wanted more spending money, my answer was always, you need to read more, then. They blew me out of the water with the amount they read that summer, and it continued at their request for several summers, until their books were so big and they read so much, I couldn't afford their habits. They all ended up breaking school records at different levels and winning TV's, VCR's and other prizes through Accelerated Reader programs. My youngest son broke his high school reading record by several hundred points his junior year and won $100.00. They are all in college now and all three are majoring in English and/or History or a double major of both.
- —Guest Libby Clifton
Start a book series
- My sons love a good series of books. Once we find a new book, we make sure there is a "series" of follow up books that keep the story line going or introduce new characters that make them want to continue their reading adventure! We love the Olympian Series, Indian In the Cupboard(s), The Crestomanci series, Charlie Bone books, Firewing series (about bats) and many more. It is always disappointing to come to the end of a great book and having another to look forward to encourages my boys to keep reading. We always read the first book together and then they track down the others via local libraries, bookshops etc. (That is part of the fun!) Finding the right fit is important - whether magic and dragons, or mythical beasts, or coming of age stories - find where your kids' interests lies and run with it.
- —Rebecca.kids
Get to Know Your Local Librarian
- It has always been my experience that children's librarians are some of the most helpful people on Earth. They love to find the right book that gets a kid going on reading. So don't just go in and pick up what ever catches your eye. Tell the librarian what your kids' interests are and ask for recommendations. They know a lot more about what is available.
- —LaureenBrunelli
Book Club
- I started a mother/daughter book club with my daughters. I invited several of their friends who like to read, as well as their friends' mothers. We pick a book and then meet in the summer to discuss it. Each girl is asked to come to the meeting with a discussion question to pose to the group. It's been a fabulous experience and encouraged my daughters to read because it made reading a social event for them.
- —Guest Pam
