Why Should My Child Read During the Summer?
It’s summer! Children are running out of their schools excited for a summer of adventure free from the daily obligation of school. However, just because they are not learning in a structured setting, doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t still be learning or reading. Did you know that learning or reading skill losses during the summer is cumulative? A lack of learning or reading during the summer creates a wider gap each year between proficient and less proficient students.
Continuous Development
Teachers typically spend between 4 and 6 weeks re-teaching material that students forgot over the summer Regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic level, or previous achievement, children who read four or more books over the summer will fare better in reading comprehension tests in the fall than children who read one or no books over the summer. Reading as a leisure activity is the best predictor of comprehension, vocabulary and reading speed. In fact, 3rd graders who can’t read at their grade level are four times less likely to graduate by age 18 than a proficient reader.
Here are some ways to keep your child reading during the summer:
- Encourage your child to read for at least 30 minutes per day. If your child is reluctant, provide incentives for reading.
- Make it social. Establish a time when everyone in the family can read their own books together or take turns reading aloud. Having reading role-model parents or a large book collection at home has a greater impact on kids’ reading freqency than does household income.
- Let them choose! 92% of kids are more likely to finish a book they picked out themselves.
- Connect reading to your outings. Take your child to a museum or a historical site and have them read a non-fiction book about the topic prior to visitation.