School is out for the summer, but there are still many ways to keep your child engaged and continue their education even while they’re not taking classes. Summer reading lists are often given out by schools to encourage further learning, but getting your child to sit down and read during the summer can be a hassle. For children, it can feel like homework, and for parents, it can feel like forcing their child to eat their vegetables.
But reading doesn’t have to be boring. There are many fun approaches parents can use to get their child more interested in reading over the summer. Here’s a few ways that parents can make reading fun!
Keep Your Options Open
You don’t have to restrict your child to only reading the books on their summer reading lists. While these can be a great place to start, some children may feel discouraged if they aren’t interested in any of the recommendations from their school. Some children who say they don’t enjoy reading may just not have found books that interest them yet.
Let your child pick the books they want to read, and encourage them to explore different genres, authors and types of books. If your child struggles to sit through a novel, comics, manga and nonfiction titles are also viable options.
Read and Be Read To
Reading books aloud to your child isn’t an activity only reserved for young children. It can be a great opportunity for you and your child to spend time together, and some children may have an easier time processing a story if they hear it read aloud. You can also have your child read to you, which can improve their public speaking skills as well as familiarize them with new vocabulary words.
Listening to an audiobook is a good alternative, especially for active children who may not want to sit down to read a book. Going on a walk or a bike ride while listening to an audiobook is just as valid a way to experience a story as reading a physical book.
Change Up Your Reading Space
Reading in an interesting place can make the prospect more exciting. If the weather is nice, reading outside can be very enjoyable. Reading can also be a part of other summer activities — for example, if you’re going on a long car ride somewhere, encourage your children to bring a book along instead of spending the whole time on their phones or playing a video game.
If your child likes to read indoors, decorating a reading nook can be a fun activity for parents and children to do together. Use pillows and blankets to create a cozy corner or add string lights for visibility.
Try Book-Movie Pairings
While summer reading can help keep your kids away from their screens, those same screens can also encourage them to read. If your child enjoys watching movies, why not combine the two activities? Many classic and popular children’s books have been adapted into films, and it can be fun to read a book and watch its film adaptation to compare and contrast each approach. This not only encourages children to read but also to think more critically about the art they engage with and what decisions were made for the adaptation. These movie nights can be fun for the whole family, especially if everyone reads the book beforehand.
Get Involved Yourself
Children will often model their parents’ behavior. If you’re an active reader, your children may also be more likely to read. Take some time out of your day to read books with your children, whether you’re reading the same book or one of your own.
Talking to children about the books they’re reading, and asking them questions about them, is also important. In addition to prompting children to think more deeply about the stories they’re reading, it can also motivate them when their parents take an interest in their hobbies. Discussing books with your children can lead to some thoughtful and memorable conversations!
Sidebar: Summer Reading in the DMV
Any student in kindergarten through 8th grade in the U.S. can take part in the White House’s Summer Reading Challenge. Participants are tasked with reading 12 books between June 1 and September 4, and those that complete the challenge will receive a certificate and prizes.
Baseball fans in the D.C. area should keep an eye out for the Washington Nationals All-Star Readers program at their local libraries. If their library is part of this program, readers who complete their local summer reading challenge are eligible to receive up to two free tickets for a game at Nationals Park.
The District of Columbia Public Library, Montgomery County Public Library, Fairfax County Public Library and more are also hosting summer reading programs of their own, so prospective readers can visit their local libraries or check out their website for more information.
