Reason #1: It makes reading fun, fresh, and exciting for kids in the summer.
Let’s face it, getting your kids to read over the summer can be a difficult feat. But instead of accepting their reluctance, try to get creative and make it something that they want to do instead of something that they have to do. Kids are innately competitive, making the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge the perfect way to encourage summer reading! Use it as the motivator to get your kids into their summer reading groove and keep that momentum going all year long.
If your child isn’t driven by competition, then try finding another way to mix it up! Discover new places to read, new ways to read, or new books to read. You might do this by encouraging summer reading as a family event or cementing it as a daily ritual.
Our fans contributed their ideas for making summer reading something to look forward to, and the suggestions include making up a library scavenger hunt, having kids read to each other, and introducing graphic novels. Incorporate these suggestions as well as the many others offered during the chat into your summer reading plan!
Resources for You:
Summer Reading Challenge 101 for Parents
5 Ways of Getting Your Kids to Read (and Like Doing it!) This Summer
How to Turn Summer Reading Into Reading for Fun All Year Long
Reason #2: It helps kids discover new books.
Who wants to read the same old boring books over, and over, and over? Kids, like adults, can develop obsessions with authors and their books or series. Encourage this sense of discovery in your children!
Amy’s kids, aged 9,10, and 12, really like the Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce, and Sisters, Smile, and Drama by Raina Telgemeier. They also enjoy the Rick Riordan books including Percy Jackson, Magnus Chase, and The Trials of Apollo.
Allie’s 9 year old son loves to read The Family Fletcher series by Dana Alison Levy. Her 5 year old daughter loves The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale. Their kids are always in search of new books and reading opportunities, and participating in the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge will help to satisfy their voracious reading appetites. So, what will you find?
Resources for You:
2016 Summer Reading Challenge Book List
4 Books Series for Future Harry Potter Fans
The Summer Reading A-List
Great Graphic Novels
Reason #3: It helps encourage both independent and family reading.
Although it might be difficult, the whole family should be involved in summer reading. This involvement starts with a mindset shift by acknowledging that summer reading is for everyone, not just kids. So, supplement independent reading with fun group sessions!
The first thing to keep in mind is that it helps when everyone reads at the same time. Make it a family activity by collectively deciding to open a book in the hour before dinner or bed instead of turning on the TV or an iPad. Simple changes like that go a long way!
Also, everyone doesn’t need to read the same book and can instead choose one that suits them! But, if you do choose to all read the same book, make sure it’s funny. According the Kids and Family Reading Report, children ages 6-17 are most drawn to books that make them laugh.
Resources for You:
5 Ideas for Summer Reading Outdoors
Summer Reading in Small Doses
Summer Reading Tips From Librarians
Reason #4: Motivates parents to be Reading Role Models.
Parents can experience a summer reading slump as well. But remember, kids are very perceptive and pick up on the tendencies of their parents and other adults. Lead by example by being a reading role model!
Some YA book ideas to kick start your summer reading are the Harry Potter series, the Hunger Games series, the Divergent series, and the Twilight series-just to name a few.
For some books strictly geared toward adults try Me Before You by JoJo Moyes, The Husband’s Secret, by Liane Moriarty, and Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, by Jenny Lawson. Also remember that reading should not be a burden and even a newspaper or magazine counts!
Resources for You:
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
Read, Relate, Respond
Change Your Family’s Life in 20 Minutes Each Week
Summer Reading Secrets: How to Read Consistently
Reason #5: It helps limit some of your kids’ summer reading excuses.
Let’s be honest—we have all heard some pretty creative and outlandish excuses from kids about why they can’t do their summer reading. Some of our fans responded and shared their favorites which include, “But I already read a book today!” to “I’m making my own book”, and “I read better when you read to me.”
Join the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge to help motivate kids through logging minutes reading, playing games, earning virtual rewards and entering sweepstakes. And, hopefully, some of those excuses will subside!
Resources for You:
Keep Your Kids Reading All Summer Long!
6 Tips for When Your Kids Refuse to Do Their Summer Reading
Learning While It's HOT
