Reading can help get kids ready to go back to school
One of the most effective
It is common for children to backslide
during summer vacations as they
get further away from their daily school
year routines. The rigors of schoolwork
may come as a shock as children return
to school and must reacquaint themselves
with studying and doing their
homework. But there are some steps students
can take to keep their minds sharp
as they ease back into school.
One of the most effective ways for
students to stay sharp over summer is
to continue reading. Pearson Education
says evidence suggests that children
who read for enjoyment every day
not only perform better on reading tests
than those who don’t, but also develop a
broader vocabulary, increased general
knowledge and a better understanding
of other cultures. Reading for pleasure
also bears more infl uence on a child’s academic
performance than his or her social
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, AUGUST 3 48 0-SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 BTR
or economic background.
Summer reading assignments may
not be mandated, but children can take
it upon themselves to continually push
themselves through recreational reading
and language arts pursuits. Here are
ways that parents can facilitate that process.
• Set up a reading time. Children
should have a set time each day that
they devote to reading. Many fi nd a regular
reading time later in the evening
before bed or as a precursor to other
activities, such as watching television
or playing video games, can help make
reading a priority.
• Keep fresh reading materials.
Stock the house with new books, magazines,
newspapers, and even graphic
novels. The more reading materials
children have access to, the more likely
they are to become habitual readers.
• Parents can lead by example. Parents
should read as well. Choose books
and periodicals over time spent on digital
devices.
• Read in the world around you. Stop
and read signs, menus, cereal boxes,
billboards, and anything with the written
word. Jot down diffi cult words and
look them up together and discuss the
defi nitions.
• Consult with the teacher. Educators
have tools they use to assess reading
levels and abilities. Knowing a
child’s reading level and choosing the
appropriate reading materials for that
level can set kids up for success.
Reading is an important part of getting
into the back-to-school groove.
Make sure students set aside ample
time for reading throughout the day,
even during extended breaks from
school.
ways for students to
stay sharp over summer
is to continue reading.