Learning to Love Reading

There’s no need for your children to sit around the house this summer, turning into couch potatoes.Instead, get them involved in the Aiken County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. In fact, there’s not a better gift you can give your children than a love of reading. To do this, Allison Carpenter, who is heading up the program, makes the following suggestions:

✓ Set a goal for the summer. Decide with your child on a time spent reading each week or a number of books to be read during the summer vacation.

✓ Establish a regular time for reading in your home for all members of your family.

✓ Share stories with your children.

✓ Encourage your children to share their favorite stories with you.

✓ Talk about books together.

✓ Read aloud to your children.

✓ During long car trips this vacation, read a book aloud or listen to a book on tape.

✓ Bring your children to the library regularly.

The program is divided into three age groups: 0-5 years who meet at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.; kindergarten to fifth grade who meet at 2 p.m. onWednesdays; and 6th through 12th grades who also meet at 2 p.m. on Thursdays.

“The oldest group’s age range starts with youngsters who have finished the 6th grade. We’ve had a lot of questions about whether it means starting 6th grade,” Ms. Carpenter said.

The participants receive a book log. Mary Jane Lock, who is assisting with the program, explained, “After they visit the library five times, they get a T-shirt at the End of the Summer Party.” The older youngsters get to put their name into a drawing, once for every two books they read. At the end of the program, a secret prize will be given to the name drawn.

The schedule for the 0-5 reading program is:

June 19 - The SPCA will bring puppies to the library and talk with the children about pet care.

June 23 - It s Frog Day This story program will involve children in books, songs and fingerplays all related to frogs.

June 30 - Mother Goose will be reciting her nursery rhymes.

July 7 - The theme of this session is a Rainbow of Colors. It will involve children in books, songs and fingerplays all related to colors.

July 14 - Rabbit Day. It’s stories and songs about rabbits in addition to a special guest.

July 21 - A Summer Picnic program will involve children in books, songs and fingerplays related to food and picnics.

July 28 - End of the Summer Party. This will take place at 2 p.m. instead of the preschoolers regular 10:30 a.m. time. There will be games, a moonwalk and food.

The schedule for kindergarten through children who have finished fifth grade is:

June 16 - A member of the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory will talk about snakes, frogs, lizards and more and will bring some specimens.

June 23 - Take a magical journey with Tim Sonefelt through books and magic

June 30 - Zenshotokia Karate with Mike Hess.

July 7 - A puppet show, Little Red Riding Hood, will be presented by the library staff.