Summer Reading Tips for Families

Summer Reading Tips for Families


The information below is from the Illinois Reading Council Journal Volume 32, No. 3, Summer 2004, and the Reading Is Fundamental website, www.rif.org (link is below).

 Visit Aurora Public Library: If your child would like a library card, or for friendly summer reading programs, visit http://www.aurora.lib.il.us/spguide.htm (link is below).
 Read aloud with your child.
 Take your child to see a local storyteller or be one yourself.
 Help your child find time to read: Schedule a time everyday that fits into his/her daily routine. Fifteen to twenty minutes of reading daily is preferred.
 Lead by example: Read a newspaper, magazine, etc. to let your child see you as a reader. Talk to your child about what you have read and learned.


Taking a Break From Books
Ways to keep kids reading beyond books

1. Newspapers-Many newspapers have sections geared toward kids, such as comics.
2. Magazines-Kids can often identify with the tone and subject matter of magazines and the articles hold their attention.
3. Cookbooks-Cooking is a great opportunity to get kids reading. Give your child a cookbook and let him/her pick out several recipes to try (Post-Its are great markers!).
4. Comic Books-Comic books are popular among kids. The illustrations and often offbeat topics will keep kids interested.
5. Brochures-Are you going on a special vacation? Get brochures for destination spots, tourist attractions, and theme parks. Let your child read the brochures and let him/her get excited about the upcoming event or adventure.
6. Food Labels-Have your child read the cereal box, bag of chips, pop cans, etc.
7. Writing-Write notes to your child and have him/her write back to you. Create books at home, keep a diary, make a grocery list, etc.
8. Games-Play board games.






Many parents want to know the best ways to help their child become a better reader. At Brooks, we use the following strategies to help your child with unfamiliar words and comprehension. At home, you can promote these strategies while reading with your child. Please, do not feel you need to do all of these strategies. Focus on one or two at a time. Remember, you don’t need to correct your child every time as long as meaning is not disrupted.

 Strategies for unfamiliar words:
o Sounding out the word: Have your child start to sound out the word by saying “get your mouth ready.” Ask what sound comes first, etc.
o Look for a word within a word (chunk it): For example, “at” is in hat.
o Look for a pattern (word family or rhyming): For example, if your child knows the word “day”, he/she should be able to substitute the first letter and be able to come up with the word (say, may, play, etc.).
o Look at the picture. Is there something in the picture that would help your child with the word? What would make sense? For example, if the word is snail, have your child look at the picture and ask what item on the picture begins with the word “s.”
o Skip it and read on. Have your child read to the end of the sentence or paragraph. Next, ask your child what word would make sense there and check to see if it is correct.
o Ask someone.

 Strategies for comprehending a story:
o Before reading:
 Look at the title and cover of the book.
 Do a picture walk, or for an older child, have him/her read the back of the book.
 Predict: Use background knowledge (personal experiences).
o During reading:
 Question the text. As your child reads, he/she should ask questions.
 Make inferences: Teach your child to think like a detective.
 Use clues from the pictures and story to figure out what the author is trying to say.
 Make connections (Text-to-Self, Text-to-Text, and Text-to-World).
 Visualize the story: Help your child to picture the events of the story in his/her mind.
o After reading:
o Have your child discuss his/her thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the story.

A great book that offers additional information is 7 Keys to Comprehension: How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It! by Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins.