Tips for Summer Reading Success

Summer is the perfect time to play, explore…and read! How can you encourage your child to use this time away from school to develop his or her passion for reading? Here are a few summer reading tips, from Willow’s librarian Meagan Coy:

• Take weekly trips to the public library. Most libraries offer summer reading programs that help keep children motivated.
• Have your child select books that she or he would like you to read aloud. There is extensive research that supports the benefits of listening to stories for improving fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Perhaps the best reason of all to read to children, though, is the lasting memories it will create. Don’t underestimate the joy and power of this experience. Even older children love to be read to!
• Encourage your child to read in bed each night.
• Keep books or magazines in the car for long drives, or plan to download ebooks for trips.
• Download ebooks or audiobooks to a handheld device. Sometimes the novelty of digital reading or listening can motivate a reluctant reader. Audiobooks are also great for long car or airplane trips. Most of the local public library systems participate with Overdrive, a free digital resource for ebooks and audiobooks.
• Consider starting a parent/child or peer book club.
• Lead (and read) by example. Children of readers are more likely to become lifelong readers.

What books will your child fall in love with this summer? Check out Willow teachers’ list of summer book recommendations for every age, from preschool to Grade 8.