School’s out for the summer and kids finally have time to
just hang out with friends and watch TV, right? That may sound perfect to kids,
but studies show children can lose as much as two months of grade equivalency
over summer break. For young students in particular, it’s important parents and
caregivers keep children engaged in learning.
Reading time can be one of the most important rituals
parents can employ to ensure young children become lifelong readers. As their
first teachers, parents are critical to a child’s literacy.
Many parents don’t feel comfortable reading to their
children. The good news is there are simple techniques, easily learned, that
can enhance the experience for both parent and child. The national Raising a
Reader curriculum teaches parents how to “book cuddle” with their young
children, and to essentially teach them the basics of reading.
Many apartment communities throughout Arizona have
adopted this program, and property site staff members have been trained in
Raising a Reader (RAR).
Communities hold reading sessions with residents and
their children using tools and books from the RAR program to connect with their
kids and begin reading.
If you don’t have Raising a Reader in your apartment
community, head to your local city or county library. These community
destinations have incredible kids’ reading programs for summer where parents
can help track reading efforts and kids can win great prizes.
These free programs will keep your children engaged,
motivated and ready to start school in August.