SUMMER READING boy with books

WHY DO SUMMER READING?
To help increase or maintain a child's reading level
To individualize reading material
To improve language skills and vocabulary
To expand their world

Here are some tips to make summer reading a fun experience for you and your child:
1. Ask that your child read everyday for at least fifteen minutes.
2. Keep books in the car and make sure a good book gets tucked into sports bags, campers' backpacks, and suitcases.
3. Get your child his own library card.
4. Take or allow him to go to the library often to browse for books and enjoy special activities.
5. Help your child select books on topics he is interested in and on his reading level.
A simple rule of thumb for helping your child select books at his reading level is to have them choose a page in the book (not the first one) and read it. If he doesn’t know five or more of the words, then the book is too hard for pleasure reading.
6. Have plenty of books, books on tape, magazines, and other reading material around for kids to read.
7. Stock up inexpensive books or magazines that can be exposed to the elements or forgotten at camp or vacation.
8. Connect reading with other summer activities.
For example, read books about places you will go over the summer or things you will be doing. Perhaps you will visit the beach or go camping, there are many good books about the beach and camping!
9. Set goals and reward reading.
Reward reading with more reading. If your child finishes one book, stop by the store and let him pick out another.
10. Let your kids see you read.
Read the newspaper over your morning coffee, take a magazine from the rack in a doctor's office while you wait, and stuff a paperback into your purse, pocket, or briefcase. Your kids will catch on to the fact that reading is something you like to do in your spare time.
11. Make reading together fun and memorable.
Even if your child is a super reader, they still love to be read to. You may want to use different voices for different characters when you read to your child. Reading together is a time for closeness and cuddling-another way to show your love as a caring adult.
12. Children love to read letters and notes you write them. Maybe have a day of no talking only writing and reading each others notes.