Preparing for Summer Parents and Reading Committee Prepared & Presented by Aretha Eldridge Williams

Preparing for Summer As parents approach the summer break, many are thinking about the family vacation, trips to the pool, how to keep children engaged in activities at home, the abrupt changes to everyone's schedule—and how to juggle it all. What they might not be focusing on is how much educational ground their children could lose during the three-month break from school, particularly when it comes to reading.

Preparing for Summer Summer slide affects millions of children each year in this country—but it doesn't have to. There are many tips for parents, caregivers, and members of community organizations to help keep learning fun throughout the summer break and the rest of the year.

Preparing for Summer

Combine activities with books. Visit the library. Lead by example. Talk it up. Help kids find time to read. Relax the rules for summer. Have plenty of reading material around. Use books to break the boredom Read aloud with kids.

Preparing for Summer Teenagers and Reading Try to avoid... Before we list ways to encourage teen reading that work, here are a few tactics that don't:

Preparing for Summer Pressuring, nagging, or bribing. Encourage teens to read, but don't hound them. Criticizing what teens read. Explain what troubles you about certain types of reading materials after reading them yourself. Forbid as little as possible. And whenever you can, accept differences of opinion as just that.

Preparing for Summer Lavishing too much praise. If you catch your teenagers reading, show interest, but don't make a big deal out of it. Teens need to know that they're reading for their own pleasure— not for your approval.

Preparing for Summer Ways to encourage teens to read... Set an example. Let teens see you reading for pleasure. Furnish your home with a variety of reading materials

Preparing for Summer Give teens an opportunity to choose their own books. When you and your teen are out together, browse in a bookstore or library. Go your separate ways and make your own selections. A bookstore gift certificate is a nice way of saying, "You choose."

Preparing for Summer Build on your teen's interests. Look for books and articles that feature their favorite sports teams, rock stars, hobbies, or television shows. Give a gift subscription to a special interest magazine.

Preparing for Summer View pleasure reading as a value in itself. Almost anything your youngsters read— including the Sunday comics—helps build reading skills.

Preparing for Summer Read some books written for teens. Young adult novels can give you valuable insights into the concerns and pressures felt by teenagers. You may find that these books provide a neutral ground on which to talk about sensitive subjects.

Preparing for Summer Make reading aloud a natural part of family life. Share an article you clipped from the paper, a poem, a letter—without turning it into a lesson. Acknowledge your teen's mature interests. Look for ways to acknowledge the emerging adult in your teens by suggesting some adult reading you think they can handle.

Preparing for Summer Keep the big picture in mind. For all sorts of reasons, some teenagers go through periods without showing much interest in reading. Don't panic! Time, and a few tips from teachers, may help rekindle their interest.

Preparing for Summer What's in it for your teen? Become an expert. Live dangerously.

Preparing for Summer Have a few laughs. See the world. Travel through time.

Preparing for Summer Use their brains. Get some free advice.

Preparing for Summer Discover new interests. Find a cause. Escape.

Preparing for Summer The sun is out; it’s time to play. Make sure you read EVERY day!

References & Resources ALA Barnes and Nobles Education.com ILA National Institute for Literacy Reading Rockets Read Write Think RIF Scholastic NOTE: If LRA has your address, this presentation will be ed to you. Preparing for Summer