Summer Reading is Important

With summer approaching and school ending for the year, most parents will be hearing “be sure your child is reading over the summer”.  So why the big push to keep kids reading? And is it REALLY that important? The answer is yes, it is very important. From September to June, children consistently engage in reading activities at home and school that support growth.

“Summer slide” is a term that has parents and teachers anxious about their child’s progress and retention for those sunny two months a year when school is not in session. This concept of “sliding back” from the level students reach by the end of their school year while home over the summer, is a true developmental reality for some young learners. Practicing skills learned during the school year is necessary for those skills to shift from new learning to usable skills and eventually into habit.

Why is Reading so Important?

The benefits of reading are undeniable. Research claims it takes a many as 17 exposures for a child to securely add a word to their vocabulary. Literacy research shows depth of vocabulary is links directly to a child’s literacy level and ability to read complex texts. Maintaining twenty minutes a day over the summer is critical. This will help at least maintain student literacy levels through the development of their vocabulary.

One elementary principal compared reading to exercise, encouraging kids to read to strengthen their reading skills. Just like exercising keeps muscles in shape, reading keeps the brain in shape. If you don’t exercise, you lose muscle, and if you don’t read, you will lose literacy skills.

Summer reading is not only for helping kids maintain learning while school is out, but also for fostering social-emotional development. Reading fiction is one of the best ways for children (and adults!) to develop empathy. While the reader may not personally experience every problem captured in the storyline of a fiction book, by moving through it from the character’s point of view, readers develop empathy skills for others who are experiencing challenges, even those with which we are less familiar. This can also lead to good conversations with your reader. Expanding a child’s vocabulary and emotions provides a deeper understanding. It also provides background information of people, places, concepts, and things in the world around us.

How can You Help with Summer Reading?

Our local Belgrade and Bozeman libraries offer summer reading programs. In addition, here are some additional resources for summer reading programs and ideas

• Kids in 1st – 6th grades who read 8 books this summer can record them in a reading journal. They will then turn it in for a free book with the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading program!
• Half Price Book stores has shifted it’s summer reading to a great page. Visit the Summer Reading Camp to see how kids can earn $5 in Bookworm Bucks to spend at the stores. Kids turn in logs during June & July. Younger kids can be read to. Older kids who can read on their own will record their reading time each month. The website also has some fun free printable camping-themed activities that kids can enjoy this summer too!
• Scholastic is another site that offers a free summer reading program.

Perhaps one of the best benefits of reading over the summer is having a screen-free activity on a rainy day. So kick off the summer discovering the joy of stories, and begin building the  importance of lifelong learning, through reading! If you have concerns about your child’s reading, you can learn more about the Matthew Effect and when Reading is Not Dyslexia.