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Ready…Set…Read!!!

Invest Time in Summer Reading

By Shamar Dawson, Dawson101.com - Sponsored Article July 22, 2016
Extra, extra, read all about it! No, really, let’s read all about it! Read stories about journeys and adventures to faraway lands, magical beings, kid detectives solving mysteries, or stories of important people and places of history! With the arrival of summer break, your child has quite a bit of free time on their hands. Why not, continue to build upon their reading skills by investing time in some summer reading? 

Parents often ask me how they can help their children with reading. It is a very good question to ask, for reading is such an essential skill needed for school success—and in life. Since reading is so vital to success, parents can and should play a role in helping their children become interested in reading and in encouraging their growth in reading skills. As the old saying goes, “Reading is fundamental!”  It is the key to lifelong learning.

Experts have concluded that children who still struggle in the area of reading by the third grade are at greater risk of not developing reading proficiency.

Yet, children who have not mastered reading by middle school can still be taught to be proficient readers; however, they will require a greater intensity and individualized instruction.

As discussed in the May 2016 edition of the Dawson Delivery, Planning Your Summer (CLICK HERE), many students lose about one to two months of acquired reading skills during their break. Here are 5 ways parents can help their children with reading over the summer. Happy Reading!

5 Ways Parents Can Help Their Children With Reading


1. Be a Good Role Model
Allow your children to see you read, for pleasure. This could include books/magazines/newspaper that you read for leisure. Discuss the similarities and differences between your book and books that your children are reading. Also take the time share with them some of your favorite books that you read during your childhood. There are many classics that are still in circulation; you may be surprised to discover that you and your child may share some favorites! 

2. Make It Routine
Make reading a part of your family’s daily life.  Establish a time each day when everyone turns off the TV, games, and computer, and pick up a good book to read (at least 30 minutes). After ‘reading time’ is over, have a brief discussion about what you read. 

3. Read Aloud to Them  
This simple task can have a significant impact for you and your child.  You may think that the older kids are ‘too big’ to be read aloud to, but believe me they aren’t! You’d be surprised to see the excitement on the faces of my 5th graders, as I am reading aloud to them in an engaging manner. Even after children learn to read independently, it is still important for them to have reading modeled correctly. 

4. Have Them Read Aloud to You 
Having your child read aloud to you has many benefits. One of the greatest benefits is that reading aloud improves fluency. Fluency when reading is essential when it comes to building confident readers. They establish a good sense of speed and prosody (reading with emotion), which in turns helps readers to better comprehend the story. While your child is reading aloud, you might hear them struggling, then you are able to quickly assist them by showing them how to correctly pronounce a word or explain what the word means---helping to build vocabulary. 

5. Ask Questions 
Keep in mind that reading is more than just sounding out words. Students should understand what they are reading. When your child reads, get them to summarize (or retell) the story or information. Whether it is fiction or non-fiction content, you can ask questions, referring to what we call the 5 W’s & 1 H questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? & How? By doing this, you can help build your child’s comprehension level. 


Shamar Dawson, M. Ed. is an Atlanta elementary school teacher who offers private tutoring in Metro Atlanta. Whether you are looking for one-on-one or small group lessons, Mr. Dawson can assist your child/children with study skills, organizational skills and tutoring in all subjects.  Visit his website, www.dawson101.com for more information or call 770.322.4887.