NEWS, VIEWS & OTHER INTERESTING THINGS

School holidays are around the corner. We’ve seen many learners make great progress in their reading over the past school term, but we know all too well that if children put down their books over the holidays, their reading ability can drop.

Often referred to as the “Summer Slide”, a drop in reading level after the school holidays sets children back in their academics and results in learning losses that are cumulative with each holiday that passes.

There’s no doubt that avid readers, both in and outside of school, are some of the highest achievers at school. So while there’s momentum from the school term, we want to share a few ways that you can encourage your learners to read over the school break. What’s important to remember is that the aim should be to encourage them to read, and not force them to read.

1. Visit your local library: There’s something so magical and exciting about visiting the library and browsing through their selection of books. Some libraries even offer fun activities during the school holidays that get children excited to read. Check with your local library to see if they have a holiday programme.
2. Let them choose: Whether you’re at the library or browsing your book collection at home, encourage children to choose their own books. It’s a brilliant way to get their buy-in and they’re more likely to want to read a book that they’ve chosen and are interested in.
3. Start a Dinner Time Book Club: If you sit down for a meal, why not use the time over the holidays to ask your child questions about what they’re currently reading. “What’s the book about?”, “Who is their favourite character?”, “If they could rewrite the ending of the story, how would it end?”, are just a few questions to get your book club started. Share what you’re currently reading too, it’s important for children to see you reading too!
4. Act out stories: One of our favourite activities to do during Holiday Reading Clubs is to act out stories. It’s such a fun way to engage children and bring stories to life. Encourage your children to choose a story and act it out using props and unique character voices. They’re bound to have a ton of fun and be entertained for ages. It’s a win-win for everyone!
5. Read together: Set aside time each day to read a book together. Reading aloud has so many benefits, from helping children develop their vocabulary to improving attention span and basic reading skills. While reading, ask your child questions about the story and characters, and then listen to what they have to say. Research indicates that the conversation around a story is just as important, if not more so, than reading the story itself.
6. Screen-free night: Now you don’t have to throw your digital devices away, but why not set aside time to have a family reading night where everyone picks up a book. It’s a great opportunity to model a love of reading; children are more likely to read if they see you reading (and loving it!).

These are just a few ways you can encourage your children to read over the holidays. Have any tips or strategies to share? We’d love to hear how you encourage reading over the holidays! Leave us a comment below.