Prevent Summer Slide
If kids get out of the reading habit during the summer months, they may fall behind when school resumes in the fall.
Q: My daughter is 9 and in 4th grade. She has been diagnosed with a learning disability called a process disorder. She has difficulty in reading and writing and therefore does not like to do either. It has made school very difficult for her. It is always a struggle.
Now that it is summer I am concerned about her losing what she has gained so far this year. I can't afford a tutor and have no way of transporting my daughter to summer school. What can I do to help her?
A: You are wise to try to stop "summer slide" — the back-sliding that may occur when struggling readers like your daughter are out of school. Try these strategies to help her improve her reading during the summer and beyond:
1. Six Books to Summer Success: Research shows that reading just four to six books during the summer may keep a struggling reader from regressing. When choosing the books, be sure that they are just right — not too hard and not too easy. Take advantage of your local library and ask for help selecting books that match your daughter's age, interest and abilities. Libraries often run summer reading programs that motivate kids to read, so find out what's available in your area. Also check our book lists for recommendations.
2. Read Something Every Day: Try to take advantage of every opportunity to read.
Morning: Newspaper — even if it is just the comics.
Daytime: Schedules, TV guides, magazines, etc. For example, if your daughter watches the food channel, help her look for a recipe online.
Evening: End the day by having your daughter read to you from the book she is currently reading (one of the six books, above). Have her rehearse a paragraph, page or chapter before reading to you. Rereading will help her be more fluent — more able to read at an appropriate speed, correctly and with nice expression.
3. Keep Reading Aloud: Reading aloud benefits all children and teens, especially those who struggle. One benefit is that you can read books your daughter can't, so she will be building listening comprehension skills with grade-level and above books. This will increase her knowledge and expand her experience with text, so that she will do better when she reads on her own.
I know it's hard to keep up a reading routine with many summer distractions. These suggestions are meant to fit into a busy schedule and to make reading fun!
