We’ve Only Just Begun
So we’ve almost made it to the last day of school. No more alarms at 6 am, no more packing lunches or snacks, no more waiting in the pick up line for your child. It’s time to put our feet up and relax! Or is it? If you’re anything like me, the excitement for summer also comes with a sense of “I’ve gotta find something for the kids to do”! Reading is always at the top of my list. But, how can I get the kids to read in the summer?
An intervention is needed
Left on their own my kids could easily stay on Roblox, Nintendo Switch or some other video game for days. Yes, days! Of course I don’t want that to happen, so I begin looking for sports, art classes, and any other activity that I can think of to keep them active. Don’t get me wrong, I think they deserve to relax and veg out with their tablets and gaming systems too, but they need more. So in my home the more means reading. Right now you may be thinking I’m crazy; that I’m asking for a mutiny, or worse putting my kids under unnecessary stress. I promise you I am not!
In full disclosure, I have invested a lot (and I mean A LOT) of time to ensure that my kids are active and willing readers. You can check out a post I wrote about how I did this here. That doesn’t mean I don’t get any push back. What it does mean is, that I’ve got some mommy hacks up my sleeve to get them to do it. So, if you’re interested in learning my top 3 tips to get kids reading over the summer without tears keep reading.
1. Join a Summer Reading Challenge
Every summer libraries across the country host summer reading challenges. They are super easy to sign up for and the work is done for you. You simply create an account for your children and sign up for the challenge. Each time your child reads they can log in to document how many minutes they read. The library has set milestones for kids to earn prizes. They even get a prize for signing up! In my local library the prizes vary by age/grade level. They range from small trinkets to gift cards to local ice cream shops. At the end of the summer all participants get a bag or a t-shirt.
If you’re not into going to the library; you can sign up online and check out ebooks! We use the Libby app. I have it on my phone and the kids each have it on their tablets. Its linked directly to your library card and local library.
Now, if you have really reluctant readers, you will definitely want to go in person to the library. The children’s section of the library is actually designed to entice kids to read. Not to mention the reading fairies, I mean librarians! The librarians are magical. They create book displays that are eye-catching and know exactly what to say to ease the minds of reluctant readers. While you sit back and enjoy a great book of your own because adults can join the reading challenge too!
2. Plan Reading Around Exciting Events
While you’re at the library check out their calendar. Our local library offers so many fun events. One favorite in our house is Lizards in the Library. So I know that I can for sure get my kids to read about lizards after that event. Its summer, so books about kids at summer camp are always winners too. Going to a sporting event? Pick up a kid friendly biography on one the players or even a novel about kids playing the sport. In addition, holidays like memorial day and July 4th offer great opportunities for reading.
Coming of age books are usually winners too! Our kids do a lot of maturing over the summer. Reading books with characters they can identify with helps them to make sense of their world. Its also a great way to get them talking and asking questions.
You can also head to the kitchen and pull out your favorite cookbook. Functional reading is incredibly valuable for young readers. If your kids are into crafts or legos get some books with projects you can do together.
I hope by now you are coming up with your own ideas to get your kiddos reading this summer, but keep reading I have one more idea for you!
3. Read a Book Together
Reading a book as a family can be a great way to get everyone talking and reading. In our house books that are also movies are big hits. We will read the book, discuss it as we read during dinner or in the car, and then watch the movie. I’ll be honest, we are movie talkers so we have to pause a lot! Another strategy could be to each pick a book for someone else to read. This will give you a peek into your child’s interest and give siblings a chance to connect too.
It’s important to be democratic when choosing a book to read. This probably isn’t the best time to bust out your favorite childhood book or the classics and force your children to read them. Take a trip to the library or bookstore. Let everyone pick some books they think will be interesting and then vote on which to read. Don’t worry if you child picks a comic or graphic novel or even an old favorite from when they were little. Show them that they have the ability to make choices and be respected, they will appreciate it and learn to take it seriously.
Summer reading doesn’t have to stressful and cumbersome. With a little effort and creativity we can encourage our kids to keep reading and possibly strengthen our family bonds. However, don’t be afraid to be the bad guy. Most children don’t understand the growth and development that is happening in their brains. We have responsibility to take care of them even when we get pushback. I hope that you find time this summer to read together and grow life long readers!