By Rick GarciaJust because school is out doesn’t mean that reading is tied to the classroom. In fact, I find my daughters curled up on the lawn chair under the tree or sunken in a bean bag in their bedroom with their noses buried on great titles and series books.
Summer is a great time for your child to “catch up or get ahead.” A recent New York Times article states, “If students are not engaged in learning over the summer, they lose skills in math and reading.” A RAND study confirms this fact, stating, “The average summer learning loss in math and reading for American student’s amount to one month per year.”
There are wonderful, fun summer reading programs offered at all public libraries throughout Mid-Michigan. For example, the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) is encouraging community members of all ages to “Dig into Reading!” with the launch of its Summer Reading Program this June. Children, teens and adults can spend time reading this summer and be rewarded with coupons from many local business sponsors. The program runs from June 10 through August 3.
Children, preschool-grade 6, can complete a weekly reading journal to earn rewards. The “Dig into Reading!” journals can be picked up at ELPL or downloaded at www.elpl.org. Teens, grades 7-12, and adults can post a book review atwww.elpl.org to earn rewards. There will be weekly winners as well as a grand prize drawing for the teens and adults.
According to the American Library Association, summer reading programs began in the 1890s as a way to encourage school children, particularly those in urban areas and not needed for farm work, to read during their summer vacation, use the library and develop the habit of reading.
Although the American Library Association does not set the themes for summer reading programs held at many public libraries nationwide, many individual or state libraries use the themes set by the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), a grassroots consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries.
For those families who are on the road or can’t make it to their local library, consider Scholastic’s Storia, a fun, interactive, and educational free downloadable e-reading app and eBook system specifically designed for children ages 3-14 that grows with your children from toddlers to teens and helps them learn and love to read in a fun, educational and engaging way while becoming better readers. Compatible downloads work on PC, iPad, Galaxy and select Android tablets; the Storia offers thousands of titles for kids from toddlers through teens with more content being added weekly.
Storia was recognized by Warren Buckleitner with the “Editor’s Choice Award” for children’s eBook apps and most recently was named one of the “Top 10 Best High-Tech Toys” of 2012 and one of the “Top 100 Best Toys” of 2012 by Dr. Toy.
So whether you’re camped out in the Michigan North woods or in your family room, pack your essential reading books and help your child expand their minds! Don’t let your child fall behind.
Rick Garcia, a nonprofit executive, a civil rights advocate, blogger and a contributing writer for The New Citizens Press can be reached at rrgarcianrg@gmail.com
This was printed in the June 16, 2013 – June 29, 2013 Edition
