8 Ways to Inspire Your Kids to Read This Summer
A child’s routine can change drastically as they transition from the school year to summer break, but that doesn’t mean their reading level has to! The Mobile Ed team has procured for you several easy and efficient tips for keeping your kids and students reading (and loving it) over the summer months.
The importance and utility of reading can not be stressed enough. Reading is the foundation of learning and communication, and one of the easiest (and perhaps most enjoyable) ways to understand new information or difficult topics, travel to fantastical worlds, tell captivating stories— both true and untrue—and embark on marvelous adventures. Whether through a commercial on TV, a heavy educational textbook, an enthralling fairy tale, or a text message from a friend, we are constantly consuming written information and honing our ability to read and digest information. Reading is an essential skill that must be nurtured, and one that if properly nurtured can be developed into a deep, joyous passion for lifelong learning.
According to Merrimack College, students who practice reading at a young age have:
- Advanced vocabulary
- Enhanced memory
- Improved critical thinking skills
- Better concentration
- Increased independence and self-esteem
In addition to academic skills and strengths, reading is a remarkably healthy habit. Reading consistently can reduce stress, teach empathy, improve sleep, and provide motivation. Though summers are full of sun, playtime, and adventure, let’s make sure we set aside time for reading this year.
Here are some ways you can encourage your students and kids to maintain their habit of reading while school is out:
- Visit the Library. In a library, what a student can learn is endless. Visiting local libraries gives students the chance to find books about topics they like and genres they enjoy. No matter what your child enjoys, there is likely a book on it. You might also find information about specific events and book recommendations for your child at your local library.
- Join a Challenge. Many libraries have fun and rewarding reading challenges for individuals of all ages, especially school-age children! Encourage your student(s) to join a challenge and potentially earn some fun summer prizes. If you can’t find your own to join, create your own by setting goals and selecting your own prizes.
- Record their books. Working hard and visually seeing how hard they’ve worked could be a motivator for some students. Keep a record of the books they read so they know how far they’ve come. As a bonus, keep track of which books they liked, and which ones they didn’t, and put some milestones and rewards in place for reading certain amounts of books.
- Read with Friends. Make reading more enjoyable by having friends and family come over to read aloud with your student(s). Use silly voices and mime-along actions to illustrate what happens. You might even create a read-along to allow your student to connect and engage with other students about a book.
- Find an App. We love technology over at Mobile Ed! There are thousands of reading and educational apps that can be downloaded at no cost. Find what your student(s) could use to learn and grow at no expense using the modern tool in your pocket..
- Set an Example. This might be the most important tip we have for instilling a good reading habit in your young readers, so much so we’ve mentioned this one before. Children naturally look up to the adults in their life, so setting a good example in your own life by reading often and consistently can encourage, motivate, and prove to your young readers that reading can be an enjoyable and beneficial activity.
- Write a Letter. Give your student(s) the chance to write their own stories via letter format. Get creative! Of course, this could be done in any format, but a letter might give your student purpose and motivation to tell a story, reflect on their day, or communicate in a new way. When they receive a letter back, they will no doubt be excited to read what their friend or a family member has to say.
- Watch Movies Based on Books. If your student(s) are struggling to find quiet time, bring in books to their lives through a form they’re probably used to: movies! Many movies and TV shows are based on books—find a few movies/shows that your student(s) enjoy and trace them back to the original books. They may enjoy them more than the movie!
Let us know your own tips for creating reading habits in the comments! We can’t wait to hear what tips have worked for your own students.
Mobile Ed believes reading is foundational to learning, so we’ve created several bestselling programs that teach students about storytelling and encourage a passion for it. Some of our favorite reading-based assemblies include:
Music and Reading Assembly Program
Reading, Writing, Storytelling, and Performing Arts Assembly Program
Reading and History Assembly Program
You can find more information about Mobile Ed and our popular educational programs on our website! Follow our blog to receive weekly teacher tips that can help you as you prepare and lead your classroom this year.
