SUMMER READING TIPS FOR PARENTS

Developed by The Literacy Council of Alaska and the F.N.S.B. Public Library.  Reprinted with permission.

• Read to your child.  Try to establish a daily routine that includes a time to read together.  Bedtime is a traditional favorite, but any time will work that is convenient for you and your family.
• Be a good role model.  Let your child see you reading for pleasure as well as for information.  Let her know that you value reading.
• Give your child the opportunity to read aloud to you, a friend, another family member or another child.  Make the experience a chance for your child to share his new reading skills.  Have him read the book silently before asking him to read it aloud.  Correct mistakes only when the mistake changes the meaning of the sentence and then supply the word without making him feel bad for having made a mistake.
• Include your child in your day-to-day reading experiences.  Share recipes, the newspaper, magazines, the TV Guide, cereal boxes, menus, road signs, etc.  Our world is full of things to read if we are aware of our surroundings.
• Talk to your child about the books she is reading.  Tell her about books you enjoyed when you were a child and ones that you are reading now.
• Provide your child with books to read.  Help him select books on topics he is interested in and on his reading level.  A simple rule of thumb for helping your child select books at his reading level is to have them choose a page in the book (not the first one) and read it. If he doesn’t know five or more of the words, then the book is too hard for pleasure reading.
• If you are planning a vacation this summer, write to the visitors’ bureau of places you will be visiting and ask for information on the area and any special attractions, check out books from the library to get background information, or get brochures from your travel agent, share this information with your child; ask for his input on what activities he would enjoy.  Hang a map of the places you will be visiting and/or traveling through on the wall and chart your travel route.  These techniques will work after travel too.
• Carry a bag with books and activities to keep your child occupied whenever you have to wait.
• Whenever possible, watch the television shows your child watches.  Discuss what happens and answer any questions she may have.  If she enjoys a certain show, find books, magazine articles and movies on the same subject.
• Get your child his own library card.  Take or allow him to go to the library often browse for books and enjoy special activities.
• Help her learn new words.  Make a goal of one new word a day.  Discuss words she comes across and doesn’t know.  This will help her to explain her vocabulary.
• Subscribe to a magazine for your child.  Ranger Rick, In Your Own Backyard, Cricket, World, Highlights for Children, 3-2-1 Contact, Owl, Sesame Street, Zoo Books and The Electric Company are all good choices for children.  Many of these are available at your local library and you can check out back issues.
• Allow your child to choose his own books.  This will encourage him to read and allow him to pursue his own interests.
• Make sure your child has her own books, puzzles, and educational games (for example: Pictionary Jr., Scrabble, Junior Trivia games, etc.).
• Take your child to new places and provide him with new experiences.  The broader his experiences, the more he will be able to relate to when he reads.  Here are some suggestions for learning trips: airport, museum, pet stores, swimming, library, fairs, train station, animal parks or zoos, commercial greenhouses, hikes or walks.
• Keep paper, pencil and crayons on hand to give your child opportunities to write.  Help her write letters to friends and family, keep a journal of special events and new experiences, or write stories and poems.  Writing practice helps develop reading skills.
• Talk to your child.  Explain things that happen in his environment.  Listen to what he has to say.  Let him know you think his thoughts are important.
• Find books that tie into experiences that your child has.  If you are going fishing or boating, find a book on the subject to share with her.  This will help her to learn more about a new experience and to develop her interest.

For more information on this topic or to schedule an appointment, contact the Civilian Employee Assistance Program Counseling and Referral Service (CEAP C/RS) on (202) 433-0087 or outside the local dialing area you may use 1-800-995-9791.

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