How to Keep Your Kids Reading Throughout the Summer

Here we are, halfway through the summer.

We've attended day camp, gone swimming, taken swim lessons, joined the gym for some exercise and socialization, traveled to grandmas, had family come to visit, gone to the beach, attended some day programs, and enjoyed the park before it hit 100 degrees last week.

And we've continued to read.

Reading is big in our home. I read every night before falling asleep, as does my husband. We encourage the girls to read by taking them to story time, buying as many books as our shelves will hold, and reading with them on a daily basis.

I could devour books, I love them so much, and it is so important to me that my girls learn to love reading. It's a wonderful past time, it encourages imagination, and it helps you grow. To me, books are like food: Fuel for the body. We need them to live.

So how do you get your children to read throughout the busy hazy lazy days of summer, between play dates and sleepovers and camp?

1. Create a reading time. Since my girls are about too old for naps, we do 'reading time' each day after lunch. This is a one hour block of time when we gather together as many books as our little hands will hold, carry them to the bed/couch/floor/porch, and read. I read my books and the girls read theirs. The youngest hasn't learned to read yet, so she'll sometimes look at books for a while and then have sister read her a few. My oldest is into chapter books, so she's good for a full hour or so of reading.
   
2. Create a reading nook. I have loved this idea since my days of teaching school. Choose a place in the home, generally the play room or your child's bedroom, and create a nook for reading. Include a bookshelf, a small chair or bean bag, a variety of books, a nice lamp, and any other 'comfy' accessory you think will make your child more likely to read.
3. Make it a game. For every X number of books your child reads, take them to the store to buy a new one. My oldest daughter loves Junie B. Jones, so she'll go through a book in a few days. For every three books she reads, we buy her a new one.
4. Visit the library. I love the library. I could spend hours there. Get to the library and check out books on a set day each week. Make it your library day. Many libraries have fun activities throughout the year, especially in the summer months. Attend the activities and check out books on these days. Here is a low cost (meaning free!) way to do some reading and have some fun.
5. Do story time, regularly. Do story time at home each night before bed or each day before nap. Go to story time. The more your children are exposed to reading, the more they will want to read.
   
6. Choose topics or themes each week. Since you have some time over the summer (those of you who work at home or stay at home), create a theme for each week. (Working out of the home parents can do this, though it will be a little more stressful!) Check out books based on this theme. Visit craft stores like Michaels for supplies needed to make small crafts (bookmarks, foam crafts, picture frames) based on this theme. Visit something in town that has to do with this theme (beach, park, museum). Write a creative story or play based on this theme. Tie it all together. We recently did a sea turtle theme. We checked out books at the library, created T-shirts with paint, and then went to the sea turtle center as our last day activity. The girls were so thrilled to learn so much about the turtles and then to see them in real life!
7. Combine reading and other activities. Reading doesn't have to be a standalone thing. In fact, when tied in with other activities, like crafting and writing, reading becomes even more important. Have your children read a book and then put on a play of that book. It can be any length, from Llama, Llama, Red Pajama to a longer book like the Bailey School Kids, depending on your child's age. Have them write the roles, make costumes, get props, and put on the play at the end of the week. What a great Friday night family activity!
8. Show by doing. If you aren't reading, chances are your children aren't, either. Ten minutes of quiet reading time a day makes all the difference in the world. Make sure your children understand that you spend time reading.
   

program to be eligible to get an "I Can Read!" book. For more

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Check out the I Can Read Summer Program!