Children’s development is influenced by outdoor play, especially in summer. However, experts agree that reading is just as important.
Richard E. Bavaria Ph.D. is senior vice president for education outreach at Sylvan Learning. Summer is the best time to learn and discover, he says. “It’s very important that children continue to practice their academic skills in summer as strong reading skills are incredibly important for all subjects in school. The more children read, the more they’ll enjoy reading, and the better readers they’re likely to become.”
These are some tips for reading from the braintrust at the National Summer Learning AssociationSylvan Learning is a tutoring authority.
* Be a reading role model. Spend time reading on the beach, or following the long directions for assembling the grill. This will show your child that reading can be both enjoyable and useful.
* Set aside a consistent time each day for reading. Your family might have different reading times, so it may be morning, afternoon, or before bed. You must stick with it, no matter what time. To build good habits, consistency is key.
* Let your child make their reading choices. Let your child read what they like. Encourage your children to read about topics that they aren’t studying in school. This will allow them to discover new interests, explore new talents and delve into old hobbies.
* Get your child to savor the book she or he is reading. Do not rush through a book. Instead, take your time and really enjoy it. Encourage your child to think about the plot and characters. This will help them develop their analytical skills.
* Set goals and reward effort. Reward reading with more books. You can download the next book from your favorite series to your tablet or Kindle. Online library catalogs are available for your child to browse.
* Read the book, then watch the movie. Children feel better when they do something. “superior”It’s more fun to compare and contrast a movie with the book it is based on. “That’s not the way it was in the book!”Let them share the differences, speculate on why a director made those changes, and then decide which version they prefer.
* Go online for ideas. There are many sites that provide book suggestions for children. Visit www.BookAdventure.comFor reading tips, book recommendations and educational games.
