I’m sure that most of you struggle with coaxing your children to read during summer vacation. Even though I am a teacher, my kids would much rather ride their bikes outside and play on their tablets than read any day. Believe me, teachers’ kids are just as good as at other kids at getting out of doing anything that is remotely related to school work.
The truth is that I don’t even read as much as I used to because I am just so busy most of the time. However, I can tell you that reading is the foundation of everything that your kids will every do in school and it is important to encourage them to read as much as they can.
Doing so will help them with their fluency, which is the ability to pronounce words properly when they are reading aloud. Also, reading frequently helps kids with their comprehension and their ability to clearly understand what is taking place in the text.
So here is the million dollar question, just how can we all get our kids to read more when they have already programmed their brains to go into full vacation mode? Here are some tips and tricks that I have picked up over the years to get kids reading and you will be shocked at how well they work:
- Let your kids read whatever interests them. Yes, I said it! Children will tend to read more if they can connect personally to what they are reading so stop trying to dictate what books they read. If your child wants to read a comic or the newspaper every day, let him/her.
- Spend time reading with your kids. Children will value what their parents value so, if your kids see you reading, they will think it is important and they will be more inclined to read too.
- Take time to discuss books with your children. Not only is this a great way to assess whether your child is reading a book that they understand but it is also a nice way to foster communication on a daily basis.
- Take your child to the library! Although everything is on the Internet nowadays, there is nothing like immersing children in literature. This will give them the opportunity to search through different genres and learn the types of books that they like to read.
- Be patient with struggling readers. Children who have trouble reading need support and encouragement, not criticism and judgment. Take the time to give praise and be positive and this will make your child get past his or her fears about reading.
By supporting your children and encouraging them to read during the Summer, you are preparing them for the academic challenges that they will face in the Fall. It’s a great way to help them strengthen their reading muscles and to broaden their horizons at the same time. There is nothing more rewarding than watching children develop a love of literature and it will serve them well throughout their entire lives.
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the ways that you encourage your children to read more when they are on vacation from school?
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My kids actually have required summer reading, so we’re still working on that. Once it’s done and their reports are written, they can start reading for fun.
That is definitely a good idea. Keeping them on track is a definite good thing!
My boys love comics so I tend to get those for them that they can enjoy. I agree wholeheartedly about letting them read what they’re interested in. They won’t read as much what you want but what they want.
My daughter loved reading when she was a little girl. I never had a problem and never had to push her to read. 🙂
Our awesome library has a reading club that allows kids to get tickets and then cash those tickets in for prizes. THIS gets my girls reading every day!
These are some great tips. That is exactly what we do in our home. It is great source of conversation to talk about what my kids are reading.
Reading is so important. I find that if you let them read what they like then they will do it out of choice instead of because we are forcing them. I love having these little reminders for me to look back on later. Thanks for sharing:)
My daughter does not like to read, and it’s a struggle every summer. She only reads her school’s required summer reading, and even that is a struggle. She’s a total math/science person, and we’re always telling her how important it is to read.
To encourage reading for my children I take them to the library and let them pick out multiple books. That way if they don’t like one they picked out, they have others to chose from.
Great tips. I have always let my kids read what they want to read, even though they have very different tastes than I do!
I am also a teacher and find myself getting stressed when my kids want nothing to do with reading. I try but I don’t want to push them since they are still really young.
Does bribery count as encouragement. I jest son is usually pretty laid back he will read if he see something that interest him if not no dice.
My kids are such tv addicts. I really hope Emma becomes more interested by kindergarten this fall.
throw some fun and games in the mix and they will definitely read! My son would prefer to watch TV and play video games
When I was away I was surprise to learn that my hubby started a book with my son. So every night they write in the book and my hubby reads it back to the little guy. I love how happy he is doing something like that with his dad and at the same time he is getting prepared for when school starts. So not just video games for him this summer! =)
I hope my son grows to enjoy reading! I always loved reading books no matter the season.
Going to the library or a book is a favorite option for us. My son gets to browse through new and old book so he’s always excited to read.
My mom always let me read anything I wanted to read, and I was an avid reader. I still am if I make the time.
Wonderful tip on getting our children to read over the summer. I love it! I use some of these to get my nephew to read more. Hey parents don’t forget the Math!
These are great tips! My daughter is still too young to read on her own. She does disappear to her room for 30 minutes at a time to “read” to herself. We added an extra book or two to the bed time routine since it is the summer.
These are great tips! I have one who will read anything put in front of her and one who would rather clean his room then read. We do reading first thing in the morning before we go outside to play or anything else. By having a set time it has helped them to know that we are still on somewhat of a schedule.
I love these ideas. I try to read daily to the kids..my daughter is in 1st so she does some small independent reading. They also see me reading all the time
We try to visit the library a few times over the summer. My older kids read a lot online so that makes me happy
i basically have had to force my daughter to try to read this summer. i’ve been thinking about starting reading a chapter book to her.
Every summer the library has a reading program. I talk about it and it gets them excited. They get to pick the books for the following week to be read to them and then they get a chance to check out that book when we are done.
I love these tips and I shared this post on one of my pinterest boards in hopes to reach other parents who need to hear it! We also have a summer reading program at our library that has worked wonders in giving our kids the motivation to read! Thanks for sharing!
Leave all sorts of reading materials including books, magazines, and colorful catalogs in conspicuous places around your home.