This month, most kids are ready to ditch their schoolbooks and enjoy a summer full of, well, not school. But summer is not the time to take our collective feet off the gas. June, July and August are exactly the times when reading becomes critical, yet can flexible enough for kids to - “gasp” - enjoy it, or even rediscover the magic of reading.
According to Scholastic.com, 96 percent of educators and 94 percent of parents agree that summer reading contributes to a child’s academic success during the school year. That seems obvious. But, did you know when children read they develop not only academic skills such as vocabulary and comprehension, but more personal traits like empathy, mental stress relief and a better understanding of the world around them. Also, in a book, kids might find a relatable character which can help them manage social and emotional issues they may be dealing with, such as peer pressure or bullying. Finding a fictional character relatable can help give kids a sense of peace and validation.
So how do we, as the grown-ups, make summer reading more fun, less like work? According to Capstone.com – an educational publishing company – the best way to get kids reading is to let them choose their own books, an option typically not available to kids during the school year. In fact, 88 percent of kids reported they are more likely to finish a book they chose themselves and 84 percent say their favorite books are the ones they chose.
But if the thought of allowing your children to read whatever they want sends you into panic mode you may want to look up reviews, ask for a librarian’s recommendations, or read the same books they are. Children tend to outgrow reading with a parent or other grown up much later than most of us think. Start a family book club. Let the kids choose. Then watch the magic happen.