The last day of school is always full of excitement and anticipation as kids of all ages look forward to starting their long summer vacations. While parents also look forward to a summer full of family fun, many are concerned about the dreaded summer slide which refers to learning loss that happens over summer vacation.
A survey of teachers found that 66% of them spend first 3-4 weeks of the new school year reteaching the previous year’s skills, with 24% reporting it takes 5-6 weeks to reteach those skills.
Summer learning loss has a snowball effect. By the time an elementary school child reaches middle school, they’ve lost the equivalent of two years of learning due to summer slide and the reteaching of skills.
Combat Summer Learning Loss with Summer Reading
While the summer learning loss statistics are stark, kids also need the mental break that comes with carefree summer days. Kids don’t have to spend all of their summer days studying to combat summer learning loss. Studies found that students who spend just 2–3 hours per week engaged in educational activities including summer reading during the summer prevented summer slide. Reading just 4—6 books over the summer prevented a decline in reading achievement scores from the spring to the fall.
To help avoid summer learning loss and get your student excited to read over the summer, here are 5 tips to fit summer reading into your busy schedule.
1. Join the Local Library Summer Reading Program
Your local library is one of the best places to go to encourage your student to read over the summer. Most libraries offer free summer reading programs that keep kids motivated to read throughout the summer. Libraries also have suggested reading lists by grade level that include a wide variety of books to appeal to different kids. Libraries are accessible, offer friendly summer hours and they are free to everyone.
2. Schedule Daily Reading Time
Kids thrive when they have a daily routine—even over the summer. Scheduling just 20 minutes of reading each day into your child’s daily routine adds up to over 2 hours each week—enough to keep summer slide at bay. Pick a time that will be easy to maintain, like first thing in the morning before breakfast or right before bedtime. Reading helps calm the mind, which makes it easier for children and teens to fall asleep.
3. Read Aloud With Them
There are some kids that just resist reading. Motivating them to read over the summer can be a challenge. If this is your child, a great way to help spark their interest in reading is to read aloud to them.
Pick a book that may seem daunting to your child. Countless families have chosen to read the Harry Potter series together, with the parent reading a chapter a day. Kids are drawn to the wizarding series, but the size of the books may seem overwhelming, especially for those who don’t like to read. Sharing Harry’s journey together can show your child that books offer a whole new world, which can inspire them to pick up a new book on their own. Plus, breaking large books down to a chapter a night demonstrates that books aren’t overwhelming and that reading can be enjoyed in small chunks of time.
4. Find Book Series on Subjects that Interest Them
When your child reads a book that they love, they typically want to read more just like it. Guide your kids to books that are part of a series. Kids will want to start the next one as soon as they are done with the first, which will keep them reading all summer long.
For elementary school kids, The Magic Treehouse series is an excellent choice, offering over 50 books. The Vanderbeekers and Zoey and Sassafras are other great elementary school book series. Older elementary and middle school kids may like the Spy School series, The Last Kids on Earth and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. High schoolers could jump into The Hunger Games.
You could also look to specific authors that your child identifies with. Both Shaquille O’Neil and Cal Ripkin have children’s books that have basketball and baseball themes respectively. Octavia Spencer has written two books about ninja detectives, and Kristi Yamaguchi writes books about animal figure skaters.
5. Form a Book Club with Their Friends
Kids often lose touch with friends over the long summer months. Kill two birds with one stone by creating a summer book club and inviting their friends. Not only will this inspire your student to read, but it also keeps them connected with friends over the long summer months. Have the kids decide on the book to ensure they choose one they are all interested in reading. Once you get your book club started, you may find they want to continue it even after school starts!
Additional Ways for Students to Keep Learning All Summer
In addition to summer reading, you can keep your student engaged with learning by doing crafts or at-home science experiments. Learn more ways to keep your kids busy and engaged all summer long.
Valerie Kirk is a freelance writer, PTA mom and avid reader.
