Parents should encourage their children to read over the summer as young minds that are not engaged during the break can have a hard time adapting to school work in September.
“If kids do not use the skills they learn over the school year, they can go down a grade level over the summer,” said Heather Finlayson, youth and children’s services manager at the Airdrie Public Library (APL).
“Even 15 minutes a day can help maintain those levels.”
To avoid children falling behind, parents should keep young minds stimulated throughout the summer. Introducing a daily reading time is a great first step.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that children have to be reading school books over the summer but they can read anything they are interested in and it will have the same effect,” said Finlayson.
From early July until Aug. 19, APL hosted a summer reading program for kids ages five to 12 from Monday to Thursday. The program included a reading log, games, reading stories, crafts and other activities.
“We want to keep kids reading and maintaining those levels,” said Finlayson. “It is important for all ages but most important for elementary kids who are forming reading skills. We want to encourage a life-long love of books.”
If you want to be a successful member of society, you need to know how to read, she added.
“It is also a great way to escape. It is a way for kids to find characters they relate to. Growing up is not easy and relating to someone can really help.”
For more information on APL programs, visit www.airdriepubliclibrary.ca
