Have you heard about the summer slide? This is not playground equipment, instead it refers to the skills and learning loss that many kids experience during the summer months. Lac La Biche County Libraries provides opportunities to help with this trend including offering our TD Summer Reading Club, the Summer Literacy Program (one-on-one tutoring for children in K-5) and our newest resource, Brainfuse.
Brainfuse offers learning support for students from kindergarten up to grade 12. There is also support for university courses, adult learners, and resume writing. Students can chat live with online tutors and create customized study aids.
So how can you motivate kids to read during the summer? Try these ideas.
- Access a wide range of materials from your local library in a variety of formats including e-Books. Getting a library card is a simple process for residents of Lac La Biche County and you can now apply online - https://short.llbcl.ca/MembershipApp. Best of all library memberships are absolutely FREE and we have no late fees.
- Let them choose their own reading material as they will enjoy it more and that will lead them want to read more often.
- Do not prejudge the non-traditional options such as graphic novels, audio-books, and video games. Often these media will attract the reluctant readers who may expand their selection to print materials.
- Reading together as a family, in fact this could include acting out your favorite picture book which will draw out the creative side and encourages discussion of the topics presented in the book.
- Let your children see you reading as they will be more likely to want to try this too.
- If time to read is at a premium find creative ways to include it in their day such as waiting at a Doctor's office, traveling in the car and following craft instructions or easy recipes.
- Make reading an interactive activity by talking to your child about the book, asking questions and perhaps relating the story to your lives.
- Bedtime stories offer a chance to have some uninterrupted time and even if you have read the story over and over this routine and repetition are key to your child's development.
If you are note sure which books to start with try some of the suggestions from the following book lists:
Notable Children's Books - 2020
CBC Children’s Choices
100 Best Children's Books
50 Classic Picture Books