I am going to be blogging about creating a summer reading routine in the next two posts. Today’s focus will be on providing tips on how to set up a routine, the amount of time to read, and what times of day to read.
Later this week, I will share some fun ideas and links to free printable summer reading charts that can help your child stay motivated to read this summer.
It is important to fit reading in regularly this summer so that your child does not experience summer regression in reading known as the “summer slide.” Summer regression is based on research and was something that I witnessed first hand as a reading specialist and classroom teacher. While students did eventually catch up, sometimes it took a couple of months into the new school year before students were where they left off the previous June.
Summer regression can happen with students at any grade level. By making time to read regularly and do some summer literacy activities, your child will be able to pick up where they left off in June and be ready to go at the beginning of the new school year.
Today, I will be talking about setting a summer reading schedule. Future posts will include fun activities that you could do over the summer to prevent the “summer slide.”
Now that summer is here, our schedule has changed. We no longer have the school schedule to follow, rather our schedules revolve around summer events, activities, and vacation plans. Some days will be busy, while others will be free of plans–making a summer schedule far less predictable than that of the school year. Our change in schedule caused me to think about the best ways to make time for reading during the summer.
When setting a reading routine during the summer or during the school year, you need to do what works best for your family. In our house, we usually read at night as part of our bedtime routine. We take turns reading and we will have a “family reading night” on nights when my husband is home early. During “family reading night,” we all take turns reading and listening to each other read stories. This time can range anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes, depending upon the time we have that evening.
On weekends or mornings where we are up earlier than normal we may reading first thing in the morning before or after breakfast. There are some days where we don’t get to reading due to special events or a later night, but that is okay with me. When we return to our regular bedtime schedule, we get back to our reading routine. I find that being flexible helps keep reading a fun family experience!
Here are some thoughts and ideas as you think about your own summer reading routine.
- Reading should be a fun time not a chore and a routine may take time to develop. Being flexible and making changes if things are not working helps keep reading enjoyable.
- If you are beginning a reading routine, you could start off reading aloud to your child every night for 10 minutes or so on topics that your child is interested in. You could make changes gradually over time by increasing the time spent reading aloud and having your child have a turn reading aloud.
- Once your child can read, continue to read aloud to your child. Your child can access high level vocabulary and comprehension through read alouds. Also, by reading aloud to your child, you can model reading with appropriate fluency including expression and intonation.
- If you child is reading, have your child read aloud to you, even in the higher elementary grades. Having your child read aloud to you, enables you to support your child with fluency, tricky words and new vocabulary. Also, you can comprehension conversations about the book with your child.
- If you have multiple children, it may work out that you all having a reading time together or you may have separate reading times. You may have an older sibling help by reading to younger siblings.
- Try to be prepared to squeeze in reading on the go. Keep an assortment of books in the car for car rides, waiting for appointments, or for something to do for your other children during activities or sports practices and update this selection of books as needed.
I hope that these suggestions will be useful as you set up your own summer reading routine! Tune in for the next post that I will share this week with links to free printable summer reading charts.