Reading during the summer months, when school is not in session, is beneficial for several reasons. It helps a child retain the reading skills developed during the school year, it keeps the mind sharp and helps to foster a love of reading. It is probably obvious that one of the most effective ways in getting a child excited about summer reading is to make reading fun, but how does one actually do that?
Here are 5 ways to get kids excited about summer reading:
Access new reading material. Shopping for a new book can be as exciting as a pair of new shoes. When you offer a story that your child has not heard before, a new adventure begins. Take advantage of the free resource that is your local library. Speak with your local librarian for assistance in locating specific titles and you may even locate a summer reading club.
Let the child choose what to read. Many schools offer a summer reading list to encourage students to read during the summer months. These lists are a great resource, but can some times make a child feel like it is required reading. To avoid having summer reading feel like a have-to from the teacher, allow the child to choose the books that interest him or her. Having a choice is always more fun than being told what to do.
Set the scene. Reading can be done anywhere, but it becomes an extra special activity when it's done in a relaxing space. Create a quiet corner in a not-so-visited room in the house, lay out a blanket on the lawn, or add some inexpensive throw pillows to a large box. Wherever you choose, make that the special place that reading is enjoyed.
Use a follow-up activity. Engaging in a fun follow-up activity can be a great way to increase a child's motivation to read a book. The follow-up activity will not only be fun, but it will engage the child in thinking about the story and its characters. Start with a Book offers activities based on popular children's books.
Create your own books. What could be more fun than reading a book that you actually created? Throughout your summer adventures, whether big or small, capture them in a homemade book to be read over and over again. Creating your own book only enriches the reading the experience as a child is physically involved in the process. Keep the book simple by using plain paper and hand drawn illustrations or get fancy by using a professional binding company like
blurb.com. However the finished product looks, it is sure to be read!
Here are 5 ways to get kids excited about summer reading:
Access new reading material. Shopping for a new book can be as exciting as a pair of new shoes. When you offer a story that your child has not heard before, a new adventure begins. Take advantage of the free resource that is your local library. Speak with your local librarian for assistance in locating specific titles and you may even locate a summer reading club.
Let the child choose what to read. Many schools offer a summer reading list to encourage students to read during the summer months. These lists are a great resource, but can some times make a child feel like it is required reading. To avoid having summer reading feel like a have-to from the teacher, allow the child to choose the books that interest him or her. Having a choice is always more fun than being told what to do.
Set the scene. Reading can be done anywhere, but it becomes an extra special activity when it's done in a relaxing space. Create a quiet corner in a not-so-visited room in the house, lay out a blanket on the lawn, or add some inexpensive throw pillows to a large box. Wherever you choose, make that the special place that reading is enjoyed.
Use a follow-up activity. Engaging in a fun follow-up activity can be a great way to increase a child's motivation to read a book. The follow-up activity will not only be fun, but it will engage the child in thinking about the story and its characters. Start with a Book offers activities based on popular children's books.
Create your own books. What could be more fun than reading a book that you actually created? Throughout your summer adventures, whether big or small, capture them in a homemade book to be read over and over again. Creating your own book only enriches the reading the experience as a child is physically involved in the process. Keep the book simple by using plain paper and hand drawn illustrations or get fancy by using a professional binding company like
blurb.com. However the finished product looks, it is sure to be read!