07/10/2023
Does Summer Reading Matter?
Q: My kid just lies on the couch watching endless videos on their phone! Does summer reading matter?
A: Yes, reading really does matter. Reading is one of the best predictors of later school success. Think about how much reading and communication we have in our lives as adults. Reading helps us to explore new ideas, understand ideas quicker and model our writing on the structure, syntax and nuance reading models.
So, how to pry your child off the phone and onto a paper book? (Yes, paper means a break from screen time and you can tell what they are really doing.)
Try these 3 things:
1.No matter what age your student is, you are still the grownup. I know it’s painful, believe me. Cell phones and the internet are designed to be addictive and kids think you are torturing them when you take them away. Think of the phone as a giant bag of candy. They had to learn not to eat junk all day and to brush their teeth. They can manage not to be on the phone all hours.
2. Go to the library or independent bookstore together and talk to the specialist there in your child’s age range. Even kids who claim they hate to read will usually admit they liked something, even if it’s from when they were younger. Adventure? Friendship? Sports? Scifi? Whatever they might like, get a huge pile of books and take them home. Put them on the floor of the living room (kids seem to like sprawling on the carpet) and let them choose. They have to try something.
3.Read together. When you develop a family habit of quiet reading time, even half an hour a day, this will make enormous life changes in your child. If kids see you scrolling on your phone all the time, they interpret it as more important and will model you. Reading is a calm, re-regulating time when they can recenter.
Don’t forget about audible books, especially on those endless car trips to events and sports. Everyone could listen and talk about the book.
Kids hate to be reminded verbally so you could put a short list of things they need to accomplish over the summer, including say, three books. Keep track of how they are doing, preferably subtly. I am not above giving prizes for completed books. They may even tell you something about the book if you are lucky.
