Encourage Reading

Studies show that kids who read during the summer jump back into school with a head-start. Kids who take the summer off from reading, often tend to struggle at the beginning of the school year. So for all kinds of reasons, it’s good to keep kids reading during the summer. Some children don’t like to read or think they don’t have to since school is no longer in session but with just some common creativity and maybe a little extra encouragement, it isn’t so hard to transform a child into an avid reader. Just a year ago, the boys I nanny would do whatever they could to avoid having to read (including eat extra vegetables) but now, they beg me to let them read to me and take them to the library.

·         Many libraries offer summer reading programs where they give children fun incentives to read more often.

·         Plan a trip to the library at least once a week and make an adventure out of it. Kids usually love it because they are getting something new in a way.

·         Use audio books of any type to replace TV time.

·         Invest in an eReader. Kids feel like they are empowered and special when they have one to read and they actually want to read more when there is one available.

·         Let kids read comic books, magazines, or packages. (Just because they aren’t reading a book, they are still reading).

·         Buy them a book and surprise them with it. Every child loves presents!