Experts share that students who read during the summer gain reading skills. Those who do not read, consistently slide backward. According to Scholastic, research shows that struggling readers who read at least 6 books will have a better chance of not regressing over the summer months. 

So how can you keep your Beautiful Brown Girl reading during the summer months? In addition to participating in our 5 Week Summer Challenge, here are some tips:

• Make sure your child has an active library card. During the school year, some students may lose their card. In addition, they may accrue fees due to overdue or lost book fines. Make sure that your child has a “clean bill” and that their borrowing privileges are intact. Make it a point to visit the library regularly. Some libraries offer free summer reading programs for children to participate in. Your local library is a primary summer resource; be sure to take advantage of it!

• Build time into your child’s daily schedule for reading. Just like during the school year, it is important to keep your child on a reading schedule.

• Keep a book in a bag! Take advantage of “wait time” (i.e. dentist appointments, long lines, etc.). Also, long car rides, train rides, and time on the beach are great opportunities to read.

• Provide a variety of reading materials for your Beautiful Brown Girl to choose from.

• Lead by example. When your child is reading, show them that it is something that the family can enjoy. Pick up a book and read along with them, or, get engrossed in one of the books that have been sitting on your reading list.

• Read to and with your Beautiful Brown Girl. This helps to model fluency, strengthens vocabulary, and helps to improve listening comprehension.

• Encourage your Beautiful Brown Girl to keep a journal. By keeping a journal and highlighting what they’ve read and/or their summer adventures, she can continue to use important strategies for reading/writing.