Keep Kids Reading Through the Summer

My kids are grown ups now, and I am still waiting for grandkids, but as a book lover and a Grand aunt of five beautiful kids I have made it my mission to keep them reading, especially during the summer! Yes, I know that they have their reading list from school, and that some even have reading assignments for the summer. But this is one of the reasons I think that it is so important to be creative to keep them reading. I believe that guided reading is important because it encourages reading different topics and Authors while covering grade level skills. However, I think that encouraging kids their own picks is also important to motivate them to keep reading as they discover their own interests. What better time to do this than the summer when they are out of school!

Below are some ideas on how to keep your kids reading while discovering their own literary treasures this summer:

• Plan an outing to your local bookstore with your kids or the library. Encourage them to pick 2 or 3 books they think they would like to take home to read. Then give them time to sit down on table, chair or floor to browse them before choosing which one to take. By doing this you are increasing their interest on the book they choose, and your child is finding out what he likes and what he does not.
• Pick a time of the day at least a couple of day of the week to read to your child or read with your child even if each of you have their own book. Who says that summer quality time has to be active, noisy and crazy? Just using some of the extra time they have off school as quiet time with you will be a special bonding time for both of you.
• Ask your kids about what they are reading during dinner as casual conversation. They will love the attention they are receiving from you, but they will also learn skills on book reports by recalling what they read and expressing their opinion. They will also learn to have a conversation about a topic that has nothing to do with chores, and school with you.
• Reward them when they finish a book by planning another trip to the bookstore or library!

Books are the best tool to bond and relate with you children, and summer is the best time to relax with them as there is more time and no homework to worry about. Enjoy your reading bonding time this summer!