The end of a school year doesn't have to necessarily mean an end to learning and nothing is more important to academic achievement than being a good reader.
Over the summer months, parents can provide the one-on-one time and attention that will lead their children to success in reading. Below are a few fun and effective ways that you can try at home to help your children become better readers over the summer months. Implementing even a few of these ideas will have a positive impact on your child's education.
Set aside a regular time, each day, to read to your children.
Studies show that regularly reading out loud to children will produce gains in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the decoding of words. No matter your child's age, it will increase their desire to read independently.
Surround your child with age-appropriate reading material.
Children with available reading materials at home score higher on student achievement tests. Encourage your kids to read by having a large supply of books and magazines at their reading level. Put the reading materials in cars, bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, and even by the TV. Books are less expensive than toys or video games and the pay off later in life is much larger.
Start at a family reading time.
Establish a daily time when everyone in the family reads together silently. Seeing you read will inspire your children to read. Just 15 minutes of each day is sufficient to increase a child's reading fluency.
Encourage a wide variety of reading activities.
Make reading an integral part of your children's lives. Have them read menus, roadside signs, game directions, weather reports, movie time listings, sports scores, and other practical everyday information. Also, make sure they always have something to read in their spare time such as waiting for appointments or riding in a car.
Make reading an integral part of your children's lives. Have them read menus, roadside signs, game directions, weather reports, movie time listings, sports scores, and other practical everyday information. Also, make sure they always have something to read in their spare time such as waiting for appointments or riding in a car.
Show enthusiasm for your children's reading
How you react to your child's reading has a great influence on how hard they will try to become good readers. Be sure to give them genuine praise for their efforts.
Develop a library habit.
Take your children to the library every few weeks to borrow new reading materials. IT'S FREE! The library also offers summer programs for children of all ages that may appeal to your children and further increase their interest in reading.
