Summer Reading

Here are some tips on how to help your child value and enjoy reading even when school isn't in session:

Set a good example. When your kids see you reading, they understand that reading is a worthwhile and enjoyable activity. You don't have to pick up Paradise Lost or Les Miserables - a newspaper or magazine works, too.

Read to and with your child. Reading together brings you and your child close physically and can help strengthen the father-child bond. Reading together also gives you additional opportunities to share values and converse with the child about important topics. Questions like “Why do you think he did that?” or “What else could she have said?” can help stimulate meaningful conversation between dad and child.

Have books readily available in the child’s home. A variety of available high-quality reading materials in the home can stimulate a child’s curiosity and open new worlds to the child’s understanding.

Help your child select interesting books and reading materials by visiting a library or bookstore together. This experience can also stimulate conversation and better understanding of each other as dad and child review possible selections together.

Encourage reading by giving your child books and other reading materials as presents. Birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions can be an opportunity to select gifts which will be of interest to the child and which will also further stimulate an interest in reading.

Set aside special times to focus together on reading. These can be times when you read to or with each other, times to visit a library or bookstore together, or times to discuss a book or other item you’ve each read.

Read something selected by your child which you wouldn’t normally read. Ask your child to select a magazine or book on his or her favorite topic so you can both read it separately and then discuss it together.