Every year, teachers observe how the absence of learning exercises during summer vacation can lead to students forgetting what they learned during the school year. By continuing a child's academic development through summer reading, parents can help prevent brain drain or summer slide. Paulette Chaffee, teacher and children's advocate, says that summertime is a perfect opportunity for parents to get involved in their child's education through reading. Below, she provides four suggestions on how to incorporate fun into summer reading for both the parent and the student:

1. Explore a Child's Interests

A rainy summer day can become an indoor adventure with a learning twist for parents who have access to a public library. One of the most effective ways to encourage a child to read is to identify current interests and then explore books surrounding those interests. 

Spending quality time with a child at the library finding books that align with their interests and curiosities is a budget-friendly way to add the magic of discovery to a child's experience with reading. It is also the opportune time to help a child find a stack of books or a series to check out and read at home. In addition, a book series like Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia allows a child to create deeper character connections. 

Libraries often have reading events over the summertime for children as well. When parents do not have access to a physical library, they can turn to bookstores or search for eBooks and audiobooks to read or listen to together. 

2. Create a Fun Daily Reading Routine

Parents can create an enjoyable routine that makes reading a fun daily activity. For example, when a child is winding down for the day and it's close to bedtime, that is the perfect time for a parent to incorporate consistent reading time with a tasty treat such as milk and cookies, popcorn, a popsicle, or a child's favorite snack. 

While a child eats their snack, the parent can read aloud to the child as they finish eating. Once the child finishes their snack, the parent can pass the book to the child to practice reading. After just ten to fifteen minutes of reading time, children exercise skills in vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and creativity. In short, the more reading a student participates in over the summer, the less summer brain drain they experience. 

3. Make a "Book Nook"

A great activity when it's too hot to play outside is creating a "book nook." Parents and children can first explore their home to find the perfect reading nook or a small, secluded space to get cozy and read a book. Once an area is deemed the right spot for a book nook, parents and their children can collect cushions, blankets, pillows, and anything else to make it comfortable. A book nook can quickly turn into a book nook pillow fort with the help of a hanging sheet to serve as a canopy.

4. Late Night Reading Exceptions

Parents can embrace the relaxed summertime schedule for children while encouraging reading by allowing a child to stay up past their bedtime only if they are reading. This exception also creates an opportunity for a child to get lost in reading during the quiet of the night. 

About Paulette Chaffee

Paulette Chaffee is a teacher, speech therapist, and attorney deeply involved in the Fullerton community. As an educator and member of various non-profit boards, her focus has always been on providing children with the highest quality education. Ms. Chaffee holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Redlands, a California Lifetime Teaching Credential, and is admitted to the California Bar.