Get ready parents: It’s back to school time! Along with the start of school, comes the National Education Association’s (NEA) annual Read Across America campaign! It is a fact that students who read for pleasure tend to do better in school than those who do not. Hmm, I wonder if that was why my husband didn’t do so hot in school? I haven’t seen him crack a book in the six years we have been together! Plus, students who enjoy reading have also been shown to have an easier time studying once the homework starts rolling in!
What can parents do to get kids reading before school starts? Try this: when buying school supplies, also pick out some books. Books that your children pick out with you and show interest in. Why not implement a family reading time each day? Turn the television off and everyone pick up a book or a magazine and read for 30 minutes. The point here is, encourage your child to be a reader and model your love of reading for him! The more you get your child reading before school starts, the better! Teachers love it when children come to school with stories about books they read over the summer!
Another way to get your child reading before school starts is to make a trek to the local library. What is better than a free book? Stock up on books of your child’s choice, and why not pick a few out for yourself? Take them home, and read them together. Ask your child questions about the books as they are read. What is neat about this is that you are essentially holding a book club in your home with your child.
Instilling a love of reading to your children is serious business, but it should also be fun too. Try switching gears towards more academic end of the summer activities so that your child is ready for school when it starts!