The Importance of Summer Reading
Jim Cornish, an educator and researcher from Newfoundland, knows reading and he knows kids. He also knows that kids want to be outside during the summer months, just like me and you do. But, if families commit them to reading, even just a little bit each and every day, we can not only bring them a love for reading we can also get them back into the groove more quickly once school starts.
“Research has also shown that when parents are actively involved in learning at home, their children become more successful in and out of school. When it comes to helping with homework, most parents can hold their own. But, when it comes to reading, they need help.”
Numerous studies have shown that summer reading programs help kids retain reading and skills.
There are plenty of summer reading programs out there, most in local libraries or sponsored through elementary programs but there are also some great online reading sites for kids as well as interactive reading sites. There are even sites that help YOU plan your own reading program for your child.
Most importantly for parents though, are sites that help you understand how your children read and tips for getting your child to read, which I know was even difficult for me as a teacher. How was I supposed to get kids to read if parents couldn’t?
One of the biggest things that I can suggest is to let your kids see you reading or to actually read with them. When I had the most troublesome readers I always suggested family reading time to the parents…even if it was just sitting down with magazines. The parents always reported that it worked and got the kids interested in checking out books in which they were interested.
My daughter has never been a big reader. One thing that gets her to read is subscribing to teen magazines. She will read something if it interests her – like articles on music divas, Hollywood gossip, recipes, and fashion news. She looks forward to getting the mail every day to see which magazine came and then she disappears off to her room to read it!
I figure reading a magazine is better than nothing – how many 14 year old girls are just going to pick up a history or science book just for fun?
Thanks for sharing, Suzanne. Yes, if we can get youngsters reading, any type of reading, that helps them with literacy and learning. That’s one reason for the popularity of graphic novels. My grandson started out with them and now has progressed to other books. However, he still enjoys the graphic novels. Bones is his particular favorite this summer.
Magazines were sometimes the only thing my students were read. Right now it is one of the first things my son picks up because of the graphics.
I have no problem with it.