By Jackie Steffen, Extension Educator, Cedar County
One of the most effective ways to improve children’s reading ability is by reading often and early to them. When summer rolls around, we may be tempted to ease up on academic expectations and the amount of quality time we spend reading with children or children spend reading on their own. It is natural to get distracted by the nice weather, summer to-do lists and the freedom from structured schedules.
BENEFITS
There are many benefits to keeping the reading momentum going throughout the summer including improved fluency, increased vocabulary, expanded background knowledge and greater confidence are just a few.
How can you enjoy the beauty of summertime and still foster a love of reading?
HERE ARE A FEW QUICK TIPS
• Make reading a part of your daily routine. If nighttime read alouds do not fit into your summer schedule because you are staying outside and time slips away from you, consider changing the time of day you and your child read. Stories outside with the birds chirping and the cool morning air will start your day off with a close connection and rich, warm discussions. A shared reading experience after mealtimes is effective as well. Classroom teachers tend to do classroom read alouds after lunch, maybe that is tradition that would work well for your setting. No matter what you decide is the perfect reading routine; remember to be intentional but flexible.
• Encourage children to select books they are genuinely interested in and excited about. Although reading books at grade level is desirable, reading choice should be the primary focus. Books should engage children through text, pictures and the story line. Book selection is crucial to developing an intrinsic joy and it also promotes independence. It is much easier for children to get in the “reading zone” when they are hearing or reading books by authors and in genres that are engaging to them.
• Connect reading to family outings. If you are heading out on a bike ride, pack a couple books and decide on a special place to take a break and relax with a good story. If you are visiting an aquarium, consider reading books about fish or hatcheries to prepare for the trip or to extend learning after the visit. Listening to a family audiobook as you are traveling from destination to destination sparks conversations about a shared reading experience and will leave children anticipating the next time they get to travel and hear the “rest of the story.” Sharing stories as a family can leave a lasting impression.
Remember reading authentic texts for meaning and pleasure should be emphasized above all this summer. There is a contagious energy about books that are read for enjoyment and strong connections and relationships are developed. The benefits to keeping the reading momentum going throughout the summer are phenomenal. Improved fluency, increased vocabulary, expanded background knowledge and greater confidence are just a few. Above all, summertime reading creates wonder, curiosity and the eagerness to want to discover more.
For more information
Ideas for reading at home, visit https://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents
Visit https://www.startwithabook.org/summer-reading-learning to get additional suggestions for summer reading activities.
To download fairy tale storybook guides to support literacy development, visit https://child.unl.edu/nebraska-4-h-stem-reading-connections-program
To download fairy tale storybook guides to support literacy development, visit https://child.unl.edu/nebraska-4-h-stem-reading-connections-program