Remember when you learned how to read? The pleasure and thrill of reading something aloud without pause or hesitation is a moment that will last for decades in your child’s memory. At Maryvale, we approach reading and language skills through the Creative Curriculum, making each story and book an adventure that engages the entire classroom. This learning technique blends the social and emotional elements of play with the acquisition of new skills.
Can reading remain an adventure outside the classroom this summer? For early readers, it’s not unusual to forget some of the skills they learned in school. Children that struggle with reading in the first place are bound to experience the summer slide.
What can parents and other family members do to keep kids sharp and on task with their reading comprehension?
- Set goals. Maybe you want to read one book per week, or six books by the end of the summer. Giving your child a milestone and reminding them that they have an exciting goal stimulates them to accomplish something.
- Make reading a daily practice. We’ve talked about the importance of routine for kids in the summer months - make reading a part of your child’s daily life. Maybe you have designated reading hours before bedtime, or you send them off with a book when it’s time for a tech break.
- Punctuate the day with a bit of reading. Preventing the summer slide is all about building good habits. Make reading a part of breakfast with a news column your child might be able to understand or a page of a magazine. Some great kids’ magazines include Highlights for Children and National Geographic World. Encourage your child to read something with you in the afternoon – perhaps a tiny portion of an online article or even street signs out in the world. Each evening, create a reading ritual.
- Encourage your child to read aloud and to re-read things they’ve recently finished. Help them to overcome embarrassment and shyness by celebrating every time they sound out a difficult word. The more verbal their summer reading is, the better – especially for young kids. Re-reading will help grow their confidence and improves reading comprehension and retention.
- Read together and model positive interest in books. Maybe one of their summer reads is one that you read aloud while snuggling. And when you aren’t reading together, show that you are interested in books and that reading is part of everyday adult life.
- Make books a part of your family conversation and lifestyle. Get your children excited about the fantastic stories and surprising adventures they can learn about through books. Perhaps you take frequent trips to the library, have your child participate in a library summer reading program, or watch movies that are adapted from books your child loves – it helps to remind them that our culture is built on great books.
- Try audiobooks. Make no mistake – books on tape are no replacement for reading! However, when you are on long drives, sitting out in a park or by the pool, or otherwise have idle time, pick an audiobook that will pique your child’s interest. Hearing someone fluidly read is a helpful way for kids to synthesize their skills when reading aloud.
- Keep a record of what your child accomplishes. Summer scrapbook, anyone? Much like setting a goal at the beginning of the summer, wrapping up with a celebration of your child’s accomplishment will feel like a prize.
