Ah, summer reading…Perhaps you have nostalgic summer memories of getting stamps or stickers for each book you read or relaxing in a hammock with your favorite new page turner and a popsicle. Or… perhaps it was less fun than all of that and it was with horror that you read over your teachers' required summer reading mandate. Whether your memories of summer reading are fond or not, it's important to hit the right note and support your child in their summer reading endeavors in a genuine and positive way.

Tips to set the right tone with summer reading

Go through the summer reading list together

Start by looking over your child’s reading list from school, if they have one, and chat about it with them. Read the descriptions or look the books up with them to see what they are interested in and which books sound cool, so you can start to get them excited about the list.

Visit the library and explore the rewards program

Head to the library and, if they don’t have one, get them their own library card. Make this an exciting thing! Set them up with whatever summer reading rewards program the library has going on. It might be beads on a necklace, stickers on a card, tokens, or even raffle tickets for a prize. Then, check out one or two books at a time and plan to return next week.

Create a reading space at home

Set up a cozy reading area at home, in their room or near to where you’ll be spending time at home. Children like to be near their parents: That’s the real reason they constantly have to come find you while you are working from home. Encourage them to help you make the space their own, so they will want to spend time there reading.

Try to make reading their idea

Your child will enjoy reading more if it is their idea to read and if they find benefits and joy in the activity. Avoid over incentivizing the reading, focus on the intrinsic benefits and enjoyment so that they can develop their own passion for reading.

Lead by example

Like always, show them, don’t tell them and model the behavior. Share your plan with your child for some summer reading you’d like to do, including your book list, where and when you are hoping to read, and perhaps share your favorite reading spot. If you can, make time to spend reading together.

We’ve got the books, now what? How do I actually get my child to read?

So, you’ve got your child set up at the library and/or purchased a couple of new books and they are ready to go. But what if they don’t like reading? 

• Provide support: Depending on their age, you can read to them or with them. Make it part of a routine and do it each day. Even if they know how to read, if they are not wanting to do it, then doing it together is a great jumping off place. 
• Meet them where they are: Try to start with the easier options first to build their confidence. You can also start with a book that isn’t on their list, but one that they chose and they are really interested in to get that routine going.
• Pair reading with something you know they love: That can be a cozy blanket, being in your bed, crunchy snacks, fluffy slippers, beach blankets, whatever. Bring the reading to their happy place, stock it with awesome things, and join them!
• Ask the experts: If your child has an identified reading disability, or is delayed in learning to read, talk with their school reading specialist about what to focus on, or simply focus on books they already know and love. Try reading those to them and pick words here and there for them to try to read. 
• Let them access different kinds of reading: Graphic novels, audio books, comics, signs on the street, toy catalogues, Pokemon cards, whatever gets them excited! The goal is to get them reading.

How to talk to your child about their summer reading

In order to help your child retain what they are reading and keep them interested, it’s helpful for you to talk with them about their books. However, you might know from experience when you just ask them “How is your book?” or “How is your summer reading going?” they will just say “Fine.” 

How can you talk to them about their summer reading? What questions can you ask?

Before they start reading their summer reading book

Take a look at the title, cover, and illustrations together and ask:

• What do you think will happen in this book?
• What do you already know about this topic?
• Do you think it will be like another book you’ve read? 
• How do you think they will be similar? Or different?

While your child is reading their book

Every so often, ask them:

• What has happened so far in the story?
• What are you wondering as you read?
• What questions do you have?
• What do you think will happen next?
• What would you do if you were that character?

After they reading their book

Ask them:

• Why is the title a good fit for the story?
• If you were the author, what title would you have given to this story?
• What was the big problem in this story? Did it get solved?
• What was your favorite part?
• If you could change one part of the story, what would you change?
• Is there a character in the story that reminds you of someone you know?
• Have you experienced anything like what happened in the story in real life?

Depending on your child’s age, they might have a quiz or discussion about their summer reading when they return to school. You can encourage them to write down a few notes to remind themselves about what they read, the plot of the story, and what they learned in case it comes up when they go back to school in a few months.

Remember to model reading for your child, keep a gentle and flexible routine going, keep it soothing, connect it with things they love, bring on the snacks, and join them! You may just get to dip back into those nostalgic summer reading memories once more. Happy summer reading!