Reading Ideas for the Summer

It is typical for children, especially boys, to fall back in their reading levels during the summer, between the school years. Well, I do not want that for your children this summer. So I have put together a few tips to help you encourage your kids to read no matter what you are doing or where you are.

Car-Time Skill Builders

1. Alphabet Soup

• When to use it: If you have children you are learning the alphabet, then use this activity with them while in the car or out on a walk.
  
  
• What to Do: Young children can watch license plates and signs, finding each letter of the alphabet in sequence. If you have more than one beginning reader, have them take turns to keep the shouting down.

2. Phonics on Wheels

• When to use it: Use this activity with your children while in the car or out on a walk.
  
  
• What to Do: Using road and business signs that you pass, ask younger readers to look for words with repeated consonants, a long “u” sound, a short “e” sound, a blended consonant sound (sh, sp, bl, etc). A phonics workbook can provide ideas. If contests are handled well by your family, offer a small prize and keep score.

3. Stop, Look, Listen: Books on Tape

• When to use it: Use this activity while in the car.
  
  
• What to Do: Go to your local library and find a tape or CD that your family can enjoy together. Pop this in your car and turn it on, especially on long trips. Audio books will model a smooth and fluent out-loud reading style and will keep your child’s mind active. Listening to a riveting read-aloud can interest your readers in books by the same author. Books on tape allow younger readers to listen to more complex stories than they can read.

4. Get local! Community Search

• When to use it: Use this activity any time you or your kids want to learn more about what is directly around you. I don’t know about you, but I find that I know more about far away places that I have visited than about some of the local areas I’m around everyday. You don’t need to take an extensive vacation to a far away place to have an adventure to remember.
  
  
• What to Do: Use the Internet and your local newspaper to find out more about your town. Hotels and motels often have racks of pamphlets about interesting local attractions. Your kids can read about botanical gardens, museums, zoos, landmarks, an architectural wonder, or a family-run bakery. Check for printable websites. Have your children read aloud as you drive – or at home. Most towns have historical societies, chambers of commerce, hobbyist clubs, and other organizations that might interest your kids. Family research projects encourage self-propelled reading and self-guided learning.

5. My Aunt is Moving…Word Game

• When to use it: Use this activity when you want to build language skills and memory.
  
  
• What to Do:
  Here’s an example:
  
  
  
  • First Child:
    “My aunt is moving to New York and she is taking apples with her.”
    (or any other object that begins with the letter A)
    
  • Second Child: “My aunt is moving to New York and she is taking
    apples and beans.”
    
  • Third Child: “My aunt is moving to New York and she is taking
    apples, beans, and cats.”
    
  • And so on through the alphabet. There are many variations of
    this game. Let your children modify it to suit themselves!

(For more tips and ideas, check out the title above!)