Don’t Let Your Child’s Reading Skills Melt Away This Summer
Just like ice cream on a hot sidewalk, your child’s reading skills can melt away in the summer heat—unless you take action now.
By Dr. Ric, Head of School at The Yutzy School
Summer fun shouldn’t come at the cost of your child’s reading skills. Pools, s’mores, and late bedtimes are great—but so is watching your child grow into a confident reader. And the best part? You don’t need worksheets or tests to make it happen.
Research backs this up: “Providing children with books to read during the summer may be as effective as summer school in preventing summer reading loss” (Allington & McGill-Franzen, 2013, p. 4). And according to Petscher and Kim (2011), summer is a golden opportunity to strengthen fluency—the essential bridge between sounding out words and truly understanding them.
So, how can you make the most of this summer—without adding more stress to your days?
Here are some simple, powerful ways to help your child grow as a reader while still enjoying the season.
🕒 Sprinkle Reading into Everyday Routines
Reading doesn’t have to mean curling up for hours—it can be a few cozy minutes on the couch or a chapter before bed. Set a goal for 15–20 minutes a day and keep it light and enjoyable. A consistent routine builds reading stamina. Researchers showed that even just 15 minutes a day can make a lasting impact (Krashen, 2004).
📚 Make Books as Easy to Grab as Snacks
Place books where your child can see them—in the living room, their bedroom, or even the car. A basket of library books by the couch can turn a few spare minutes into a quiet reading moment.
✅ Tip: Let your child help choose books. Students are more likely to stay interested when they can pick what they read, connect with others about it, and see how it relates to their lives (Guthrie & Wigfield, 2000, p. 408).
🎧 Turn Drive Time into Story Time
Busy summer schedule? Audiobooks are a great way to keep the stories going—especially on long car rides or while doing chores. Listening builds vocabulary and comprehension. Pair the audiobook with the printed book when possible so they can follow along. Prosodic reading—reading with rhythm and expression—has been linked to better comprehension (Petscher & Kim, 2011, p. 3).
Curious about prosodic reading and why it matters? Check out our full article, From Robotic to Rhythmic: Helping Kids Read with Joy, to discover how rhythm, expression, and fluency boost comprehension—plus practical tips to help your child become a more expressive reader. [Read more here.]
🏆 Make Reading a Game They’ll Want to Win
Motivation helps students stay engaged with reading. Create a simple chart and set fun goals: 10 books by July, 30 minutes a day for a week, or reading in five different places. Celebrate with a treat or certificate.
Invite cousins or friends to join for friendly competition!
🍦 Find Hidden Reading Moments Everywhere
Reading signs at the zoo, recipes in the kitchen, or directions for a summer project shows your child that reading matters in real life. These incidental reading moments are stress-free and meaningful.
📅 Turn Library Trips into Literacy Adventures
Library visits make reading exciting and new. Most libraries offer free summer reading programs with prizes, activities, and events. Local librarians are great at helping you find books that fit your child’s interests and level.
👀 Let Them Catch You Reading
Kids imitate what they see. If they see you with a book—or hear you talk about what you're reading—they’ll begin to understand that reading is valuable and enjoyable at any age.
✝️ Build Faith While Boosting Fluency
Read a Psalm in the morning or a Gospel story before bed. Encourage simple retelling or discussion afterward: “What did you notice?” or “What do you think God wants us to learn from that?”
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” —Psalm 119:105
✅ What If My Child Doesn’t Like Reading?
Start with graphic novels, joke books, or anything connected to their hobbies. Reading is reading—whether it’s a dinosaur encyclopedia or a Minecraft guide!
Final Thought: Keep It Positive
This summer, let stories fuel your child’s imagination. With just a few minutes a day and the right encouragement, you’ll do more than prevent reading loss—you’ll spark a lifelong love of learning.
📍 Summer Reading Incentive Programs
Garnett Public Library Summer Reading Program
- Who: Youth of all ages
- When: June through late July
- What: A free program with reading incentives, prizes, and events
- Contact: https://garnettpubliclibrary.org/services/ or call (785) 448-3388
Public Library Summer Reading Programs
- Local Availability: Almost every public library offers one
- What You Get: Prizes, events, and recognition
- Check with: Your local library or library system’s website
Pizza Hut’s Camp BOOK IT!
- Who: Kids ages 4–12 (Pre-K to 6th grade), including homeschoolers
- When: June through August
- What: Parents set monthly reading goals; kids who meet them earn a free Personal Pan Pizza®
- How to Join: Sign up via the BOOK IT! Mobile App at https://www.bookitprogram.com/
Six Flags Read to Succeed (currently paused but worth watching)
- Grades: K–6
- What You Get: One free Six Flags ticket
- How It Works: Read for a total of 6 hours and log the time
- Website: sixflags.com/read
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program
- Ages: Grades 1–6
- What You Get: Free book from a selection list
- How It Works: Read 8 books, fill out a reading journal, turn it in
- Seasonal: Usually May–August
- Website: bn.com/summerreading
Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards
- All Ages
- What You Get: 10 free Play Points for completing a reading chart
- How It Works: Download and fill out the reading chart
- Website: chuckecheese.com
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Ages: Birth–5
What You Get: Free book mailed every month
Availability: Based on location; check eligibility by ZIP code
Website: imaginationlibrary.com
References
Allington, R. L., & McGill-Franzen, A. (2013). Summer reading: Closing the rich/poor reading achievement gap. Teachers College Press.
Guthrie, J. T., & Wigfield, A. (2000). Engagement and motivation in reading. In M. L. Kamil, P. B. Mosenthal, P. D. Pearson, & R. Barr (Eds.), Handbook of reading research (Vol. 3, pp. 403–422). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Krashen, S. D. (2004). The power of reading: Insights from the research (2nd ed.). Libraries Unlimited.
Petscher, Y., & Kim, Y.-S. G. (2011). The role of reading fluency in children’s text comprehension. Frontiers in Psychology, 2, 556. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00556
