By Paula Huddy, Librarian, Blake Highcroft School, Wayzata, MN

Research shows that children who read during the summer do much better in school when it starts again in the fall. On the other hand, children who do not read between school years show significant loss in the fall. Studies show that having elementary-aged children read just four to five books during the summer can prevent this achievement loss.

Reading should be fun and being actively involved is the best way to stress it’s importance. Visits to the library, book stores, or involvement in a summer book club could be enticements to read. If you show enthusiasm for reading, your child will feel it, too.

• Create a list of books that you think would be fun to read individually and together
• Post the list in a prominent place and check them off as you go
• Perhaps purchasing a book of their choice can be the reward for meeting the challenge
• Create a calendar of summer reading events
• Plan special activities each week that involve and let the kids help to gain cooperation
• Traveling in the car? Find signs with words that start with ABC’s in order
• Go through a cookbook and choose some meals to make together

The importance of summer reading is paramount. Finding fun, meaningful ways to encourage your child to read in the summer will not only help her keep up in school, it will also help draw your family closer together.

Book Covers from the award winning Bur Bur and Friend’s children’s book series: Bur Bur and Friends is a cast of multicultural characters who educate kids about sports, outdoor exploration and active play though their experiences.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm and is filed under Community Board. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.