7 Steps to Create a Culture of Reading at Home this Summer
Last week, we talked all about the Summer Writing Journal as the best way to keep your kid writing and honing their skills while honoring the “fun vibes” of summer break.
Today, I want to share with you how to create a culture of reading in your home this summer. Now, this really isn’t a summer specific thing - it’s an all the time thing. But, there is no better time to foster a true love of reading within your home.
There are two ways to go about summer reading.
Path one: Enforce a book log, timed reading, book reports, reading aloud, and forcing kids to finish books that are just “blah” to them or don’t really make them excited. This feels like an assignment, no?
Path two: Encourage a backwards book log (will share below), stash books everywhere, go on weekly adventures to the library or book store, read in all the little moments of the day, and talk about books like you talk about TV or movies. Hmm…this sounds better to me!!
I guess there is a third path: no reading at all. Please don’t choose this option. Please! You CAN do this!!
I get it, you want your kid to read. You KNOW it is important, because, we can’t get through our adult lives successfully and confidently without being a proficient reader. But if you approach this as a chore, assignment, or daily task that must be done before anyone gets to use the iPad (this inherently makes the iPad sound like a reward and therefore better - so try to avoid this sort of language), you are setting yourself up for battles. Especially if you have a reluctant reader.
Let’s change the script.
Can I tell you a secret? I HATE book logs. I really only used them one or two years in the classroom, because they were enforced at the time and it’s just what was done. But truly, they encourage somewhat deceitful behavior by kids (and parents if they need to be signed daily), they discourage intrinsic motivation to read, and just suck the fun right out of reading. So, step one is to NOT enforce a daily reading log this summer. If this is something your school enforces, that’s a different story, but I would avoid it.
Step two - create weekly adventures that encourage reading. I have strong memories of going to both the library and the book store with my parents and just wandering. It feels in my mind we would be there for hours just getting lost, reading, looking for fun new titles or series. Do this! Explore with your child, but then let them see you looking for your own books! Bring home a stack of books from the library, and keep them in a special spot in your home. Sometimes when I go to the library for my daughter, I get a whole bunch of books related to one or two themes which is fun and starts a lot of great conversations. For older kids, of course get books that are appropriate for their stage of reading development (some chapter books, and YES graphic novels are wonderful if they get your kid to read), but don’t forget about picture books for them too. There are so many wonderful picture books, and they are such valuable tools for discussion at every age. I’ll post about this one day! At the book store, you may not be able to bring home a stack of books each time, but that’s where the third step comes into play.
Step three - create a backwards reading log, aka a “Books I Want To Read List.” If your child is keeping a summer writing journal, this is a great ongoing list to have in there. Bring your journal, or a blank sheet of paper, to the store (or library) with you, and since you couldn’t possibly buy all the books your kids will love in one day, have them write down their favorite titles. You can even take a picture and they can glue them in later. For younger kids ,you can of course write them in yourself. Then, the next time you head out to the library or book store, go ahead and refer to this list! Honestly, this is really just a great mind trick to keep kids EXCITED about reading, rather than dreading the task of recording how long they read for (snore).
Step four - let your kids see you read. This is hard. Because time is limited. But be creative! If you come downstairs before the kids in the morning, maybe try to read then (and they can naturally discover you reading in peace, of course). Find a time to dedicate as “book time” during your day - after snack, before lunch, in the late afternoon, whenever it fits your day best! Maybe you could read a book together, and then each read your own for a few minutes. Stick to it each day and it might become something you all really look forward to! Perhaps you could sneak 5 minutes of reading in while your child is playing or working on their own. Modeling reading for pleasure is a huge positive reinforcement without any nagging or begging. Kids want to do what they see the grown ups in their lives doing - be an advertisement for reading.
Step five - make time for reading, everyday! No exceptions. We read books to the girls before naps/quiet time, and before bed. Those are non-negotiables, and then we will sprinkle in more books throughout the day.
Step six - create an environment that encourages reading. Establish book baskets with favorite titles, new titles. and various genres throughout the house. If it is a task in and of itself to go find a book, then it is less likely to happen. I often keep an upstairs book (fiction) and a downstairs book (nonfiction), and this TOTALLY works for me! My daughter has baskets of books scattered though our home and will often grab a stack, cuddle up in a corner or on the couch, and “read.”
Step seven - read out loud to your kids! Reading aloud has so many benefits for both younger AND older children:
strengthens vocabulary and models sophisticated language use
improves attention span
exposes children to books at levels higher than they can read independently
presents opportunity for conversation regarding deep issues and themes in books
expands their understanding of the world beyond what they see and interact with daily and develops empathy for other perspectives
Growing up, I always made time to read. As an adult with babies, it became harder. Now I feel like I’m re-cultivating my reading life with my child at the helm. I love that. I love developing my own reading habits, encouraging those habits in my children, and growing together on that journey. I’d love to hear about your reading adventures this summer!
