It’s easy for your routine as a family to fall apart during the summer. Your kids are at the pool, playing ball, and having fun with their friends, but you’re still busy with work. Even though it’s vacation time and your children are no longer in school, it’s up to you to see that they continue to read throughout the summer.
It’s well-known that it’s important to read with your child, but do you know why?
- Grow their imagination and vocabulary. When you read to them, your children are transported to a different world; imaginations can run wild. Plus, books typically use a larger vocabulary and more complex sentences than we usually use when we communicate with our children.
- Family time. When you and your children are reading together, you are spending quality time together. Your kids can ask questions and get excited about characters, and you can show your willingness to listen. It’s moments like these that you and your children can look forward to and remember for years to come.
- Prepare your kids for school. Don’t let your their minds get rusty during the summer. By reading to them or letting them read aloud to you, you are able to keep their minds sharp.
Here are a few ways that you can get your child excited about reading this summer:
- Set up a schedule for reading. For some parents, it works better to have a nightly reading time. Have your kids get ready for bed half an hour earlier than usual, and use that extra time to read to them while they are in bed.
- Go to the library. Ask the librarian to give your family a tour. Your librarian can teach your child how to find and check out books. Ask for recommendations, and let your child pick out a new book to read. Make it a fun outing.
- Create your own books. Professor of Education Terence A. Beck suggests that you have your child tell you a story. Write it down on several pieces of paper, and staple them along one of the edges. Then, have your child illustrate each page. When you’re done, read it together. Chances are, you will be rereading your book often.
- Find a series.Kids become book lovers by getting hooked on a series. It’s exciting to finish a book and know that you get to read more about your favorite characters. Based on your child’s interests, do a Google search for different series that might be of interest to them. Examples: The Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedelia, and Harry Potter.
If you’d like to set up a time to meet with Reka, you can contact her by phone at 402-881-8125 or by email at reka@omaha-counseling.com. Make sure to follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
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Photo Credit: Bud the Teacher via Compfight cc
