Now that school is out and summer is here, it is more important than ever to keep your child in the habit of reading. Reading for at least 20 minutes a day will help your child practice the skills of word decoding and comprehension, both essential skills when moving on to the next grade level. If you are unsure of how to continue encouraging this skill over the summer months, take a look below at 7 ways to keep your child reading this summer. They are all easy, inexpensive, and above all, fun!
7 Ways to Keep Your Child Reading This Summer
1. Make it part of your bedtime routine.
It can be easy to send a child to bed with an iPad or tablet. But this summer, make a goal of reading for 20 minutes before bed each night. This can mean you read to your child, or she reads to you. Or, you can read a book together. Either way, spending this time making reading a priority is a wonderful example to set for your child.
2. Make car drives a reading opportunity.
When driving, ask your child to read billboards and signs to you. You can point out signs and read them as well. It is a great way to make car rides go quicker while practicing those skills.
3. “Read” your breakfast.
Start each day by reading the cereal box or other boxes your food items may have come in. This is a great way to kick off the day by reading and making reading meaningful.
4. Enroll in a book club, or start your own.
Gather neighborhood kids for a junior book club. Choose a book that the children can enjoy that month, read it, then meet back up to discuss it amongst snacks.
5. Make library trips a regular activity.
Try to visit the local library at least once a week. Check out a variety of books, listen to the free read aloud presentations, and even explore the books on tape. Children love the library and all it has to offer.
6. Download free eBooks.
Many blogs and deal sites offer a weekly feature of free eBooks. Download these free eBooks to your computer or tablet for your child to enjoy. It is a great way to get FREE reading materials in a fun digital form.
7. Join an incentive program.
Barnes and Noble, your local library, and other book shops like to offer summer reading programs. Your child reads the designated amount of books, then get to claim a prize. Find out if any local retailers or libraries in your area are offering an incentive like this.
Keep kids reading this summer when you give these simple tips a try!
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