3 ways to prevent summer slide in reading

3 Ways to Prevent Summer Slide in Reading

The term “summer slide” refers to the potential loss of academic progress and learning that many students experience during summer break. Learning loss is definitely a global problem, but it is preventable if you are proactive. In this article, we will show you 3 ways to prevent summer slide in reading.

Around 34 million American students lose significant ground in reading skills over the summer. The gloomy statistics show how important it is for children to continue learning during the summer. Even more so, the summer is also a perfect time for kids to develop good reading habits that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Here are three tips to keep your brain active over the summer and avoid the summer slide!

Choose the right books.

It’s easy for reading skills to slide backwards when the wrong books are chosen for summer reading. Books that are too easy won’t help you grow as a reader. Books that are too hard will frustrate your child and cause them to give up. The key is to find that golden spot between too hard and too easy.

Set Reading Goals and Reading Schedule

It’s easy to let reading take a backseat to other summer activities, but we all know how important it is to stay consistent with reading all year long.

It’s super important to keep a reading schedule during the summer. Set a time each day that is dedicated to reading and keep it consistent. It’s best to start small with a few minutes at first and work your way up if needed.

By setting a goal, you’re making reading a priority. It doesn’t matter what the goal is either; whether your child aims to read for 15 minutes each day, or you read three chapters to your child.

Make Reading Fun! 

Include reading in some of the other activities you are planning for the summer.  If you are taking your family to the beach, bring along some books.  Read short stories and have your children act them out.  Help your children write alternative endings to the books they read and read them to the rest of the family!

Create reading challenges with rewards when your children succeed in conquering the challenge.

The sky is the limit and you can use your imagination to help make reading fun in many ways.  The best way to prevent summer slide in reading is to help your kids learn to enjoy reading, so they continue to do so all year long.

By following the three tips above, you can help prevent your child from experiencing summer slide in reading. Encourage them to read books that are at their level, provide them with opportunities to explore their interests, and make reading a part of your daily routine. With a little effort, you can help your child avoid the summer slide and keep their love of reading alive all year long.

3 Ways to Prevent Summer Slide in Reading was first published on NutsAboutReading.com

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