WebParenTips The Online Parenting Newsletter vol.7 no.1, January 2006

When I was a child on the last day of school I was given a list of books
to read over the summer. Some teachers gave you a long list from which
you could choose 10 or 12 books. Others assigned specific books. Some
wanted you to write book reports on the books you read or on your
favorite one. Some gave you ditto sheets with questions like, “Did you
like this book? Why?”

Every child had a library card. I remember how proud I was when I turned
8 and was allowed to enter the library and check out books myself. The
rule was that a parent had to accompany you until you reached that magic
age of 8.

I haven’t done a survey but my impression is that few teachers give out
summer reading lists these days. But PARENTS can encourage summer reading.

Suggestions:
• Give each child a school-year-end present of an age-appropriate book.

• Make a weekly trip to the library a must-do routine in your family.

• Set aside half an hour a day for a Family Reading Hour in which the
children old enough to do so take turns with you reading aloud.

• Make your own book list of the books you enjoyed when you were the age
of your children. Offer a small reward if they read one of these a week
during the summer.

• Let your children see you read. If they never see you read, no matter
how many books you have read to them they not be readers when they are
grown.

• When the children see a movie based on a book, get the book out of the
library. After they have read it, or you have read it to them, have a
discussion about whether the movie or book is better.

• And don’t forget to LIMIT TV as well as computer and video game time!
Summer should never mean unlimited TV.