Summer reading gives kids an edge

Your children mightbe out of the classroom for a few months, but that doesn’t mean they can’t continue enriching their minds. Remember to incorporate some age-appropriate books into your child’s busy summer schedule.

Children who read during the summer will keep their reading skills sharp, according to University of Maryland education professor Jennifer Turner. Additionally, summer reading reinforces the reading strategies your children learned in school, and it just might make that transition in the fall much easier. Reading over the summer can put your child one step ahead of the rest of the class when school resumes.

Plus, summer reading can be fun. With the freedom to choose books that really interest them, kids will be happy to take some time out to relax and read. Some children dislike reading simply because the books they read at school don’t hold their attention, or they are afraid they are going to be tested on the material. Summer is the perfect time to eliminate those negative associations with reading.

You can even make summer reading social. Let your kids select a book to read with their friends and host a book-club party once everyone has finished it. Just like adult book clubs, children will become engaged in the book and enjoy sharing their thoughts with others. Plus, your kids will get to spend time with friends while stimulating their minds.

There are a wide variety of books available for children at every reading level. Make a trip to the local library or bookstore, and let your kids pick out a few books that strike their interest. They’ll leave excited and ready to do some leisurely reading.

And if your children’s school or local library doesn’t have a summer-reading program, start one on your own. Chances are your children will be rewarded in the upcoming school year.