Keeping Kids Sharp with a Summer Reading Program

Teachers should provide their students with a summer reading list. If they have not done that, however, parents can take over. A parent will have a few choices as to what to do for summer reading.

1. Sign up for your local library's reading program. I have never seen a library that didn't have a summer reading program. The way ours works is you sign up free and every time you complete 5-10 books (depending on the grade) you get rewarded with a small prize. Parents can help their children pick out books from the library based on the child's likes and dislikes. The librarian can also recommend books that are more geared toward your child's grade level. Visiting the library can become a once per week habit.
2. Check with your bank. Commerce bank has a summer reading program for kids with Young Savers accounts. If your child reads and records 10 books on their form, then your child will receive $10 free deposited in their account when the paper is turned in. This is a great incentive to read, not to mention it adds to your child's savings account.
3. Use private libraries. We have a local Christian library that offers a fun reading program for the kids. At the end of the summer they throw a party and award prizes to the top 3 kids in each grade level. They kids get a snack and they get to play games. The kids look forward to it all summer.
4. Create your own summer reading group. This works great because you can get a few families together and create your own group. Schedule the group to meet every other week and have the children share stories from the books they read. Roast marshmallows over a campfire to create a story-telling mood. Plan a fun picnic at the park. There are endless possibilities here. The group can also give book suggestions from one kid to another. Kids are motivated by other kids.
5. Create a list for your child and designate 20 minutes each day as reading time. When your child has finished the 20 minutes have them give you an oral summary of what they just read.

Go over the options with your child and see if they prefer one method over the other. Explain to them how much fun reading can be and that it should become an important part of their day. Even if they only do it for a few minutes each day.