Benefits of Summer Reading...Part 4

In my last few posts, I've been discussing strategies to help parents weave reading into the summer routine. But what if you have a child who just doesn't like reading? In the final post in this series, I would like to offer some suggestions for parents of the reluctant reader.

*Create a reading plan with your child - Use a calendar and help your child make a schedule for summer reading. Make sure your child sticks to the schedule so that he or she doesn't save the required summer reading for the last few days of summer vacation.

*Set aside a consistent time each day for reading - Decide what works best with your schedule and stick to it as much as possible.

*Alternate required reading with books your child chooses - He or she will be more motivated to read when it is something of his/her own choosing.

*Read books together - Read aloud together by taking turns by page. Or you can get two copies of the book and each read silently.

Hopefully this series has been beneficial to everyone. Reading is a great way to spend time together over the summer break. Not only does reading together encourage important parent-child time, but it will also maintain and even develop your child's academic skills as he or she prepares for the coming school year!