Engaging Ways to Make Summer Reading Fun!

Well summer is in full swing! However, for teachers that means we worry about all the hard work that our students put in and that the dreaded "summer slide" will happen and they'll lose what they've worked so hard to gain during the school year. Today I'm going to share some tips with you so that you can help your child maintain their reading skills. This will not only help them with their reading, but it also helps them maintain skills in other academic areas. I know summer gets busy, but there are still ways that you can find time to read and have it be enjoyable! 

One fun way that you can get your child to want to pick up a book this summer is to start a reading challenge. Many schools will provide this for students over the summer months or provide you with information on where to find local reading challenges. If your child's school doesn't provide a summer reading program you could create your own summer reading log where you can track how many books your child reads. You may have an incentive or reward they earn at the end based on how many books they read. Here's two examples for you that I simply pulled from searching google. 

 

Another fabulous resource is your local libraries. Many town libraries will provide summer reading challenges that you can join. Stop in and see if they currently have any summer reading groups or challenges going. Most libraries are free to join and often offer other fun summer time activities and programs as well. 

Another way to engage your child in summer reading is the longest running summer reading program through your local Pizza Hut Restaurant. I remember when I was young doing Pizza Hut's summer reading challenge, which they've been providing for over 30 years to families, and it's still going strong today. Head over to your local Pizza Hut to enroll in their Book It Program. You can find more information here-http://www.bookitprogram.com/

Now I know it's not always easy to make time to sit with your child and read. Believe me I KNOW, with two busy boys of my own, summer camp, sports, and wanting to fit in fun activities during the warm summer months, it's difficult. So I'm also going to give you some tips on how to fit it in and keep your little one reading and finding fun adventures all around. 

As a teacher and lover of reading I have many fabulous books and learning activities at my fingertips, and I'm going to share those with you here today! Your child doesn't only have to read books to learn, yes you heard that right, there are many other fun and engaging ways that your child can stay active in their reading and building their literacy skills and logical thinking skills. Your child can use fun wipe clean activity sets to learn their letters, sight words, and engage in literacy activities. Check out these pictured below that you can find through amazon.com.

Click on picture to find this book and others like it!

One of my favorite activities for little ones on trips are word puzzles and logical thinking games. These are a great way to keep your little ones engaged on trips and when out and about this summer. With wipe clean markers they can complete mazes, puzzles, and draw pictures over and over! There are various options available in my store!  

Click on Picture to take you to amazon.com to find this book and others like it

 Lastly, it's always fun to get your little ones engaged in activities that can incorporate not only reading skills, but math and science skills as well. Cooking is a fun way to do this with your children. "Start To Cook" is a great way to get your child engaged in reading, math, and science while teaching them important life skills.

Click on Picture to find on amazon.com

 Reading is an important skill that doesn't have to be a tedious task, but a way for your child to stay engaged with you. Finding time to sit with your child, engage with them, and share with them in building their imagination is critical. It's proven that children that read with their parents do better in school and achieve more later on in life. Take this time this summer to enjoy fun adventures with them. Talk about the books they read with the. Share your favorite stories as a child. Build on your bond this summer. Much Love
~Mrs. L