Top 10 Ways to Encourage Summer Reading
During the past school year, your child has worked hard to gain valuable reading skills. With summer,
approaching, it’s the perfect time to think about how to support your child’s independent reading through the hot
weeks ahead! Summer reading loss is real, but the good news is you can prevent it. Below are some suggestions
for how to motivate and encourage your child to read.
1. Visit your local library – often!
 Make it part of your weekly summer routine!
2. Explore online reading sites for young readers.
 Storyline Online – a free site feature actors who creatively read books aloud.
 RAZ Kids – many books for our early readers to explore! Ask your child’s teacher if they already
have an account.
 EPIC app– a virtual bookshelf of high quality reading material! Some books are available on audio,
and can be read to your child!
 One More Story – Students can listen to books being read, or read them independently.
3. Read Aloud – Children of all ages love read alouds! Reading aloud builds vocabulary and comprehension
for your child! For younger children, picture books or shorter chapter books are a great choice! For older
children, longer selections are just as suitable. Children can often comprehend books that they might not
be able to read themselves.
4. Audio Books – Explore the world of “playaways” at the library! Lots of great books to download and
listen to on long car rides!
5. Be a good example – encourage your kids by reading yourself! Make a summer reading stack for
yourself. Check out “Goodreads Summer Reading Lists” to help you get started!
6. Check out kid’s magazines – Summer is a perfect time to try a magazine subscription, purchase a single
magazine at a store, or check them out at the library! Many kids love National Geographic for Kids and
American Girl Magazine, Boys Life, Click, and many more!
7. Check out online apps and digital tools that support reading and writing. There are lots of other free
digital tools to keep kids engaged in reading. If you search the following topics, you can check them out
with your child to see which suit his/her needs and interests.
 15 of the Best Apps to Support Reading Comprehension
 16 iPad Apps to Support Writing
 16 (more) iPad Apps to Support Writing
 Best Apps for Phonics and Spelling
8. Create or Join a Book Club for kids! How about inviting a few friends over to pick out a book (or two) to
read together this summer. Then get together once a week to book talk what they are reading. Older
kids love anything involving their friends!
9. Create a Top Ten List of Books to read this summer or make a Book Bingo card! When your list is
complete, or you have a BINGO, do a special activity together!
10. Read a book that has been made into a movie! Then discuss which version you liked better and why!