Summer Reading Tips for Parents
Summer shouldn't mean
taking a break from learning, especially reading. Studies show that most students
experience a loss of reading skills over the summer months, but children who
continue to read actually gain skills. Efforts should be made during the summer
to help children sustain reading skills, practice reading and read for enjoyment.
Reading builds visualization, thinking and language abilities. Taking the time
to read with your child can help you evaluate your child's reading skills. If
you discover that your child is having trouble with reading, he or she may have
a learning disability. 80% of children with a learning disability have difficulty
with basic reading and language. But early identification of such a disability
gives a child the chance to develop ways to learn how to read effectively, and
skills to lead a successful and productive life. A recent National Institutes
of Health study showed that 67 percent of young students at risk for reading
difficulties became average or above average readers after receiving help in
the early grades.
Parents should remember that children need free time in the summer to relax
and enjoy the pleasures of childhood. So summer reading should be fun. Following
are a few tips to make reading enjoyable for your children this summer:
Read aloud together with your child every day. Make it
fun by reading outdoors on the front steps, patio, at the beach or park. Also,
let your children read to you. For younger children, point out the relationship
between words and sounds.
Set a good example! Parents must be willing to model behavior
for their children. Keep lots of reading material around the house. Turn off
the TV and have each person read his or her book, including mom and dad.
Read the same book your child is reading and discuss it.
This is the way to develop habits of the mind and build capacity for thought
and insight.
Let kids choose what they want to read, and don't turn your
nose up at popular fiction. It will only discourage the reading habit.
Buy books on tape, especially for a child with a learning disability.
Listen to them in the car, or turn off the TV and have the family listen to
them together.
Take your children to the library regularly. Most libraries
sponsor summer reading clubs with easy-to-reach goals for preschool and school-age
children. Check the library calendar for special summer reading activities and
events. Libraries also provide age appropriate lists for summer reading.
Subscribe, in your child's name, to magazines like Sports Illustrated for Kids, Highlights for Children, or National
Geographic World. Encourage older children to read the
newspaper and current events magazines, to keep up the reading habit over the
summer and develop vocabulary. Ask them what they think about what they've read,
and listen to what they say.
Ease disappointment over summer separation from a favorite
school friend by encouraging them to become pen pals. Present both children
with postcards or envelopes that are already addressed and stamped. If both
children have access to the Internet, email is another option.
Make trips a way to encourage reading by reading aloud traffic
signs, billboards, notices. Show your children how to read a map, and once
you are on the road, let them take turns being the navigator.
Encourage children to keep a summer scrapbook. Tape in souvenirs of your family's summer activities picture postcards, ticket stubs, photos. Have your children write the captions and read them aloud as you look at the book together.
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These reading lists are provided by Reading Is Fundamental,
Inc. (RIF) and the American Library Association (ALA) for you and your
young reader*. If you choose to use these lists, draw your reader's
attention to the books on the list, starting with th ose for the appropriate
grade level. Go to the library shelves and find one of the books listed
here. Let your young reader look at the front and back covers of the
book and thumb through the inside of the book. Ask if the book interests
your reader. If so, check the book out. If not, find another book on
this list and repeat the process until your reader is happy. |
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Provided by Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. For Preschool to Kindergarten Age Children
Grades 1 through 3
Grades 4 through 6
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Preschool
Ages 5 - 7
Ages 7 - 9
Ages 9 - 12
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*The Department of Education recommends that parents review these lists and make their own decision on the suitability of the books for their children. |
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