During the long, lazy days of summer, it can be tricky to get our kids to take time away from the myriad of activities they are enjoying in order to have some dedicated reading time each day. We might even compare it to pulling teeth! But, with a little bit of planning, some encouragement, and 'new' ways to get reading in, it doesn't have to be a struggle. In fact, summer reading can really be enjoyable for kids and families! Read on for some tips to keep reading on the radar during summer, and avoiding the summer slide...
Everyday Ways To Build Vocabulary
- Word of the Day: Pick a new word each day to be the word of the day. Teach your child what it means. Use it for them throughout the day and encourage them to use it too!
- Board Games: Play board games that focus on using words such as Apples to Apples, Taboo, Blurt, Scategories, or Boggle.
- Go Digital: Some different apps that help children learn new vocabulary include Tiny Hands First Words, Bugs and Buttons, Endless Alphabet, Peek-A-Boo Barn, My Playhome.
- Detective: Find a word in a book that you don't know. Write it down, use a dictionary to look up the meaning (if you don't have a physical dictionary in your home, use a digital one). Try using the clues from the story to figure it out before you read the definition (context clues).
- The Alphabet Game: Give your child a category (ex: girl's names, foods, animals, sports, holidays, etc.) Challenge them to the alphabet game. Go back and forth saying a word for each letter of the alphabet. A-alligator, B-bear, C-cat, D-dog, etc. until someone can't think of anymore.
- Make Your Own Dictionary: Use a notebook or journal to make your own dictionary. Draw pictures to help you remember the words instead of the definitions.
- Describe It: How many words can you think of to describe it? While eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner challenge your kiddo to describe how the food tastes, feels, smells, or sounds using as many adjectives as you can.
- Don't Say It!: Throughout the day, designate a 'no-no' word that you can't say for the day (for example, 'mom, go or nice'. Instead of saying the word they must use a synonym (for example, 'mother, proceed, or kind').
- Word Jar: Create a word jar of words that are tricky when reading at home. Choose one word from the jar each week to learn and use in conversation.
Creating and Building Family Literacy
Family literacy, simply put, means how do families interact with literary elements (text, words, illustrations, etc.). Family literacy can be practiced and promoted in many different ways. Here are some great ideas to incorporate in your family routine!
- Read, read, read! Read books, magazines, newspapers and digital print!
- Ask your child about what they're reading. Ask questions before, during, and after reading.
- Write notes, e-mails, texts, or letters to each other each day.
- Sing songs together. Make up new songs too! The sillier the better!
- Cook together. Teach your child how to follow a recipe.
- Tell family jokes.
- Play board games and word games together. Have a family game night.
- Keep a family calendar. Make family to-do lists, and grocery lists. Write down wishes and goals for each season/month.
- Visit the library or bookstore together. Check your local library for weekly read aloud classes.
- Create art projects together. Display family artwork.