Ten Ways to Keep Your Child Reading This Summer
During the summer, books might be the last thing on your child's mind. Most kids are ready for a break and happy to trade in reading, writing and arithmetic for summer camp, family vacations and lazy beach days. But many studies have shown that children who read when they're away from school perform better academically than those who don't. Here are 10 ways to get even the most reluctant reader engaged in a reading adventure.
1. Use Hollywood to inspire your child to read.
Take advantage of movies and DVDs that are based on books appropriate for your child's age. In theaters on July 15, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince might be more appealing to older kids due to its dark tone (see the trailer here). Renting the DVD of Hoot, based on Carl Hiaasen's first novel for young readers, might pique your middle-schooler's interest in the author's more recent book for young readers, Flush. Likewise, the film version of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory gives you an opportunity to introduce your younger child to other books by the same author, such as James and the Giant Peach or The BFG.
2. Play a summer reading game at your local library or start your own book club.
Many libraries offer online sign-ups for these popular summer reading programs. Most have a set reading list and if children read all of the titles within a certain time frame, they win a prize. You could also create your own reading game at home with a chart, stickers and perhaps a grand prize of the child's choice. Another alternative is to get a group of kids together to form a neighborhood book group, where members can discuss what they are reading and/or exchange books.
3. Involve your child in planning your family vacation.
Whether it's a trip to the ballpark or across the country, have your child research the players, the sites and even the weather in programs, brochures, guidebooks, a Farmer's Almanac or on the Internet.
4. Start a collection.
Help your children become experts on something this summer by starting a collection. Encourage them to visit Web sites, view videos and look for library books to learn more about their new interest.
5. Visit a comic shop.
The transformation of classic comic strips like Scooby-Doo, Spiderman and Batman into major motion pictures has renewed an interest in comic books. They make especially good reading material for visual and artistic learners, as they allow readers to make easy connections between picture sequences and written text. Encourage your child to read comics and even create his own comic strip this summer.
