Linda Gambrell, former President of the International Reading Association, writes "Most U.S. students go to school for nine months each year. Most grow in their knowledge and skills during this time. When summer comes along, however, many students, particularly those from low-socioeconomic families, experience summer learning loss."
She adds, "Research indicates that struggling learners score significantly higher on standardized tests taken at the beginning of summer vacation than they do on the same standardized tests taken at summer's end. This loss is particularly evident in reading, and it is most pronounced among students from low-socioeconomic families, who may not have access to books."
That's why I think it's very important to keep kids reading throughout the summer. Many local libraries have Summer Reading Clubs. Joining these clubs is free and many give out prizes once children have read a certain number of books. Even if your child can't read yet, they can count books you read to them in their total. I remember the excitement all of my boys showed when we would go to the library each week over the summer to have the Librarian stamp their tally sheets. The prizes were cheap toys (that usually broke before we even got them home), but the library program kept them excited about reading, even when they weren't in school. The Philadelphia Free Library will be posting information about its Summer Reading Program at http://libwww.freelibrary.org/summerreading/.
Now, some bookstore chains are getting in on the act as well. Kids who join Barnes and Noble's Summer Reading Club can pick a free book after they read eight books, they can get a free book from the store. Borders has a similar deal, when children read 10 books. Obviously, these stores are hoping you'll shop when your kids bring in their completed book sheets, but you don't have to. There's even a bank that will pay your child to read. TD Bank will put $10 into your child's savings account (or open an account for your child) when he or she reads ten books.
These programs can give kids incentive to read over the summer, but you still may have to push them a bit. Dr. Joanne Meier, a consultant with Reading Rockets, suggests these tips for parents: Help your child pick books that are on their reading level (if they can read with five or fewer mistakes per page, that's a good clue). Listen to your child read aloud every day (you can do this outside, even by the pool or beach). Let them repeat the books they love. Read books that are bit more advanced out loud to them.
The people at Reading is Fundamental add that you shouldn't set time limits on summer reading, and make sure your kids see you taking time to read each day.
The one homework assignment Micah is still getting every night is his 30 minutes of reading. He loves the Hardy Boys mysteries. And you can be sure I'll be sending them to camp with him ... and I'll have another supply when he gets home.
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