3 Essentials to Get Kids Reading Over the Summer

3 Essentials to Get Kids Reading Over the Summer by Melissa Taylor Summertime is almost upon us. It is important that your child continues to read over the summer-even if it is just for a few minutes each day. I found this article that I hope you find interesting and that gives you some good ideas about how to keep your child reading over the summer. from:(http://imaginationsoup.net/2013/06/3-essentials-to-get-kids-reading-over-the-summer/) “Mom, I don’t have anything to do. I’m bored,” whines my child. Again. (As if anything I’m going to tell her do, she’ll do, ’cause we all know that ain’t happening.) Generally, I tell her the same thing every time she whines: “Read a book. Books beat boredom.” (Yes, I stole it from a Mo Willems book. Do you know which one?) Or, I’ll say, “That’s fantastic news! Boredom is an opportunity for creativity.” Which gets a groan and an eye-rolled, “Mommmmmm” response. Both my kids think I’m nuts. (mwhahahahahaaaa . . . little do they know!) Most summers, it’s my job as mom to turn into an inspired sales genius with one goal in mind – to sell reading so my kids get into good reading habits. Goal: My kids choose a book on their own and sit down to read for hours. Or at least 30 minutes. My “Books Are Cool” Sales Process 1. Book-palooza!! Kids Need to Pick Out Books. Yesterday, we set a new money-spent-record at the bookstore. Gulp. I shouldn’t even tell you but it was well over $300. There’s something magical about mom taking you to the bookstore where you can pick all the books you want to read. (Magically expensive. But worth it.) Of course we do visit the library weekly, and it’s much more economical. 2. Cozy Reading Space. Kids LOVE a Cozy Book Nook. This doesn’t have to be fancy but it does need to involve the kids. Find a corner – those work best. Let your child add pillows, lamps, books, stuffed animals, a headlamp or flashlight, and create a special space. In my next post, I’ll give you more details on how to make an enticing book nook with help from Pottery Barn Kids. 3. Down Time. Kids Need Margins Just Like We Do. We all need unscheduled time to rest and relax. Kids especially. Remember to make time during the day for rest and reading. What If They Don’t Like Any Books? Kids need books they’re interested in. Sometimes it’s a challenge to find one or ten books your kids want to read. Which is why I love reviewing and sharing good books. See if any of these lists will keep you in good books this summer. Time, Space, and Books.

Raise Children Who Read For Fun

With the weather warming up, your child may be hesitant to stay inside and read. However, it is just as important to continue a routine of reading each night even when the school year is winding down so that children can see just how important (and fun!) reading can be, at any time of the year! I found this article from Scholastic that gives you some tips on how to do just that: by: Allison McDonald I love reading. I take books with me everywhere -- in a bath, on the treadmill, and in the car while my kids have sports practices. I am the type of reader I hope my children will grow up to be. Reading doesn't just come easy for me, it is also a refuge. It feeds my curiosity, it lets me escape, and it is a way for me to connect with others. I want all these things for my children and have a 10-part plan to help them develop into readers who read for fun. 1. Make reading a part of their daily routine. Find a time every single day to read to them and stick with it. It will just be something they always do. 2. Fill the home environment with reading. Books, magazines, comics, reference materials… have it available. Watch movies that are based on books, buy toys that are characters from books, tell stories using your favorite characters from books. 3. Make reading an event. Go to the library, go to the bookstore, and make it as exciting as going to the park or zoo. Make it an event, not something you slip in between errands. Make it fun! 4. Let them choose what they read. This one is hard for parents. This isn't the get-out-of-homework-reading pass. This is about letting them choose what they read for fun. Every family will have different books that are and aren't acceptable for them but within those boundaries, however wide they may be, let them choose what they read for fun. 5. Bite your tongue when your child reads things you do not love. There are plenty of books I don't love, but if my children are enjoying themselves reading I will bite my tongue. Be careful when you criticize reading material because what you intend as a criticism of the material a child can hear as a criticism of reading as a whole. 6. Make sure they see you read for fun. Practice what you preach. Make time to read for fun too. It doesn't have to be literature – there's nothing wrong with fluff. The important thing is that they see you getting pleasure from reading. 7. Bend rules when reading is involved. Many voracious readers were created after bedtime. Letting bedtimes slide if and only if they are reading is a great motivator once children are reading independently. When kids are younger the simple act of reading one more chapter with them, or choosing one extra picture book can send a great message. 8. Never force feed reading. Avoid using reading as a punishment. This can make a child who loves reading into a child who associates it with being in trouble. 9. When they find an irresistible book, help them find more just like it! When my son gets into a book series I reserve the next books at the library before he is done with the first. Having that next helping right there is such a great tool for keeping the momentum going. 10. If they are struggling, pay attention and advocate on their behalf. Learning disabilities like dyslexia, behavioral issues, and even emotional upsets can contribute to reluctant or struggling readers. If you think that your child may have more than a lack of interest and be struggling with reading, talk to your child's classroom teacher and/or pediatrician. They will be able to help you find the right interventions and help for your child. After you figure out the issue, you can get back to reading for fun. Not every child will turn into an adult who reads for fun. Parents can follow every step here and still have a child who prefers the outdoors, likes music more than stories, or just doesn't find the act of reading enjoyable. But as a parent, I know that I want to create the strongest foundation for my children and these steps are the foundation for raising readers who will read for fun. (http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/raise-children-who-read-fun)