Three Ways to Prevent Summer Slide: Try these strategies to help your reader improve reading skills during the summer and beyond. Many children, especially struggling readers, forget some of what they've learned or slip out of practice during the summer months. Try these strategies to help your reader improve reading skills during the summer and beyond:
Six books to summer success: Research shows that reading just 6 books during the summer may keep a struggling reader from regressing. When choosing the six, be sure that they are just right — not too hard and not too easy. Take advantage of your local library. Ask for help selecting books that match your child's age, interests, and abilities. Libraries often run summer reading programs that motivate children to read, so find out what's available in your area. Also, check Scholastic.com booklists for recommendations.
Read something every day: Encourage your child to take advantage of every opportunity to read. Be creative! Find them throughout the day:
Morning: The newspaper — even if it is just the comics or today's weather.
Daytime: Schedules, TV guides, magazines, online resources, etc. For example, if your child likes the food channel, help look for a recipe on the network's website — then cook it together for more reading practice.
Evening: End the day by having your child read to you from the book he/she is currently reading. Rereading will help build fluency — being able to read at an appropriate speed, correctly, and with expression.
Keep reading aloud: Reading aloud benefits all children and teens, especially those who struggle. One benefit is that you can read books your child can’t.Reading aloud to children builds listening comprehension skills with grade-level and above books. This will increase knowledge and expand experiences with text.
It's hard to keep up a reading routine in a season packed with distractions and diversions. These suggestions will fit into a busy schedule and make reading fun!