Well, it finally feels like summer. Of course it the helps that as I write, I’m sitting by the bay enjoying a lovely respite from the cold, damp month of May we experienced. Many children have ended the school year, and for sure both parents and kids are anxious for summer break. But wait…what does that really mean? Hopefully, it means downtime, outdoor activities and lots of fun in the sun. Hopefully, it means reconnecting with friends and family, slowing down the pace and building in time to “recreate.”

Unfortunately, summer is often a time when kids increase their screen time and decrease their reading and writing time. The “Summer Slide” is alive and well. Regular practice is an integral part of any skill we are learning. Imagine a budding athlete or musician who stops practicing for several months. They will have a tough time catching up when they decide to resume playing. The analogy is clear. When kids take a vacation from reading (and writing), literacy skills decline and it often takes months to reach the proficiency they developed during the previous school year.

Okay…I can see you rolling your eyes. Believe me, I know. The pressure never ends when your raising kids. That’s why, I’m offering you a series of blog posts that I hope will not only inspire you to keep your children’s literacy skills intact, but provide practical, easy suggestions to help you along the way.

For starters, let’s talk about an independent reading plan for your child. Even most second graders and some first graders can read to themselves. My point is that from primary students up, an independent summer reading plan is a good idea. A routine over the summer months is crucial to maintaining reading stamina, comprehension, and pleasure. Without a plan, the best intentions go awry, so may I suggest a “Five Star Reading Challenge.” Here’s how it works…

• MOTIVATE – Ramp up the excitement by talking to your child and explaining the game plan…to read each day during the summer. Then, explain the importance. Kids respond well when they know the purpose of an activity.
• REWARD – Together decide on the appropriate number of books, depending on the child’s age and reading level. It could be an “Eight Star Reading Challenge or whatever both of you decide. Next comes the fun part…choosing a reward they will earn at the end of the summer if they meet the challenge. One year, when our youngest son was in sixth grade, I decided to offer a reading challenge to him and three of his buddies. I told them if they read six books, they would earn a letter for each book. The letters would spell D-O-R-N-E-Y (which stood for Dorney Park), a great amusement park about 45 minutes away. They were so excited and at the end of the summer, I took all four of them to Dorney Park. They still remember that. So, you see, you can set up this challenge with any reward that will motivate your child.
• SCHEDULE THE TIME – We all know that without a plan, the best of intentions fail. Together, determine an appropriate amount of time to devote to reading each day based on their age and skills. Next, decide on the best time of day for this silent reading to occur. It’s great to read before bed, but in this case, I strongly suggest scheduling a reading session (or even breaking it up into two sessions), sometime during the day, so it doesn’t fall by the wayside.
• MAKE A BOOK LIST – Go to the library, ask a teacher, check out book lists or visit Amazon. Do whatever you need to do to create TBR list. Then, buy or borrow at least the first two books your child wants to read. The idea is have the next book at the ready, so there’s no gap in the reading. A word of caution…if your child begins a book and really doesn’t like it, swap it out for another one. Remember, you want to encourage a love of reading, not make your youngster slog through a book he hates.
• CREATE A CHART – Make a cute little chart and hang it in a prominent place. Remember to add a star every time your child finishes a book. Of course, there’s no harm in offering little rewards along the way. Maintaining motivation and offering lots of encouragement is key.
• CELEBRATE – Make good on your promised reward. It’s a chance for both of you to celebrate keeping literacy skills alive during the summer months. Even if your child does not reach the intended goal, if you believe he has put in a good effort, give him the reward along with a big hug. In your heart, you will know that the real reward will come when he returns to school, ready to continue his progress and not spend time simply catching up.