Summer is right around the corner! And so are a myriad of summer reading programs, camps, vacation days, and activities! Are you excited to be getting out into nature or reacquainting yourself with your town? People are definitely getting out more and events are starting to ramp up. So how can we make sure the Summer Literacy Slide takes a hike this year?
Easy peasy! We have a few simple suggestions that will help you discover and meet your family's literacy needs.
STEP 1: Determine the different types of readers in your family.
The Pre-Reader - These little ones are dependent on someone else to read to them. They could also be young children who are just beginning to read but are not quite independent. The magic here comes in allowing their imagination and emotions to get lost in the books. Picture books, books you create together, and imaginary tales all come into play here.
The Bookworm - You will always find their faces in a book, magazine, graphic novel, etc. They need no incentive to read. Some prefer quantity over quality so you will need to work with them to make sure they try different genres, types of publications, and that they are reading at an appropriate reading level.
The Kid (or adult) with 1001 Excuses - They avoid reading by hiding behind excuses; no time, no money to buy books, don't like to read, hate books, etc. These are often people who used to love reading but had a bad experience that convinced them it wasn't for them or that summer reading is for little kids. The challenge here will be to spark a lifelong passion for reading.
The Faker - Everyone knows at least one Faker. They keep reading material handy and can appear to be reading (the same book or page) day after day. But ask them about the plot, characters, or why they like the book and the charade falls apart. Fakers need help finding reading material that they enjoy.
STEP 2: What do they enjoy?
The Pre-Reader - Be sure to read a wide variety of stories. Look for different themes, heroes and heroines, diverse cultures, and so on. Be sure you pick things you will enjoy reading because pre-readers pick up on tone and your enthusiasm and emotion will make it fun and engaging for them. Fiction is great but did you know non-fiction works too! Talking to young children helps them understand the world around them. If you're cooking, show them the recipe or pictures of ingredients. Talk to them throughout the process. Just like reading a book with a beginning, middle, and end; recipes have a story to tell too! Babies especially love looking at faces and expressions so make eye contact, smile, and love on them while reading!
The Bookworm - If they prefer a specific format such as books, e-books, graphic novels, or picture books, try introducing other formats such as newspapers, magazines, or professional journals. Information is presented differently in these formats and it will challenge a Bookworm to get comfortable with a wide range of vocabulary, sentence structure, and prose. Encourage your Bookworm to try new genres. Fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, fantasy, romance, mysteries are all someone's favorite. And, they may find new favorites to enjoy!
The Kid (or adult) with 1001 Excuses and The Faker - Structure, location, and incentive are all in your bag of treats for these readers. No guilt, no shaming, and no threats allowed. Reading is fun not manipulative. Starting with structure, determine the who, what, where, and when of family or individual reading time.
It can be more productive to find a little bit of time to read together as a family than to try to chase down individuals for their reading time. Here's an example: everyone meets after lunch on Sunday for a 30-minute reading session in the living room. Have a designated spot to keep current reading materials so no one has to go looking for theirs. You can even make visiting the library to choose books a family affair too.
Little ones reading independently or with an adult or older sibling may need a quiet spot away from distractions. Help your reader find a comfortable spot to read (but, not so comfy that they fall asleep!) Have independent readers read aloud to pets so they take ownership of their reading time but also have someone to share it with.
Incentivize readers with small treats (non-food items work well) or trips to favorite places. You can also set a group chapter goal to work towards visits to museums, skating rinks, or movies.
STEP 3: Set a Goal and Track Your Progress
Everyone needs some way to track their progress and to celebrate achievements. The key is to prioritize Summer Reading so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle of activities. Here are few ideas to get you started.
Library Summer Reading Programs - These are great for all ages. Whether you choose to track your progress on the online app provided or to report in person, there are lots of prizes, incentives, and book recommendations throughout the upcoming summer months!
Track It - Print out a book tracker. Use poster board and let kids design and make their own. Older kids can write a book review and share it with friends. Create a family book journal to track who is reading what and how they liked it. The ideas are endless!
What to Track - It isn't limited to pages, chapters, or books. You can also track "Fun Facts I Learned" or "Who Did It Best" (compare authors, villains, heroes).
STEP 4: Remember to Have FUN
Create a Family Book Club - Everyone can read the same book or read books from a particular genre and share at club meetings. Refreshments, book games, and human companionship add to the fun! The best part is everyone can talk about their favorite characters, scenes, or endings.
Location, Location, Location - Change it up every now and then for variety! Have a book picnic in your backyard or local park. Take breakfast, brunch, or lunch and pack blankets, sunscreen, and bug spray (a fact of life in Arkansas, folks!) Read indoors at the library, at a fast-food play area, at the lake or beach.
Book Selfies & Videos - Take selfies with a twist! Include your current reading material in your daily selfies and snaps. Or script a short video for social media or Tik Tok talking about why reading is important and post a review of what you've read.
Here's to an EPIC summer of reading fun!
