Don’t Stress Over Summer Reading
Reading Time: 2 min
Let’s face it, sometimes getting kids to read during the summer months can be stressful. With a relaxed schedule and more free time, kids often think of reading as a chore when school is not in session. When reading is fun and engaging, it becomes a much more enjoyable experience for all involved. Teachers and caregivers recommend incorporating reading into your summer schedule to set expectations and keep the arguments to a minimum. Allowing each child to choose their own summer reading activities is a great way to empower them while satisfying summer reading goals.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Book based summer reading calendars
Towards the end of the school year, ask your children to sit down and fill out a blank calendar with book titles they know and love, or new subjects they want to explore. If your child is in K - 3rd grade, the book calendar can be every day or two. If your child is in 4th grade or above, chances are they are in the habit of reading chapter books, which will take a week or more to complete. The goal is to find the right frequency that sets them up for success.
Book swaps
What is old-hat for one child, will typically be new & exciting for the next. A book swap is a great way to incorporate new books into a child’s reading rotation. Host the event at a local park, school or neighborhood driveway. Encourage all participants to bring an armful of books that they no longer read and put them out for others to explore. Your child will select a new group of books that are new to their book shelves. This is a great way to create a sense of community, meet new friends and bond over books they have read.
Read in 100 places challenge
This summer, find 100 places to sit down and read. It’s a fun and exciting way to explore new places and create memories that last a lifetime. Your “100 places” can be mapped out and scheduled ahead of time, or you can choose a certain day of the week to go out and explore. Whatever suits your schedule and lifestyle the best is definitely the way to go.
Comic book challenge
Since summer is a time for fun and adventure, comic books are a great way to take children on an exciting ride to fictional worlds unknown. Comics are especially effective in getting visual learners to read throughout the summer months. Each page offers vibrant colors, action sequences & new adventures in genres that they have never explored before.
We hope this gives you a few ideas to keep those voracious and reluctant readers going all summer long! And if you’re looking for a new adventure in reading, try Lou Adventures’ A Mystery at the Lakehouse. Our very own interactive learning adventure for kids! Download on iPad and iPhone.
