by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.

Many parents feel overwhelmed thinking about the summer vacation weeks when children need reading practice to stay fresh and prepared for the next school year. Tutoring is an excellent option, but there are plenty of ways to promote reading skills at home. The most important thing you can do is consistently provide exposureto reading and language every single day. Integrating more reading into their daily lives will expand their vocabularies, help them develop a senseof sequence and patterns, and increasetheir attention spans. Keep thesetips in mind. t Parents May 2072 Auburn-Opelika

1. Think variety. Instead of sticking with chapterbooks or the fiction they usually gravitatetoward, consider a trip to the library for a variety ofdiverse books and magazines.The exposureto multiple types of print and genreswill stretch them and offer options they may n o t h a v ec o n s i d e r e d t h e r w i s e . o 2, Cozy down, Set up cozy reading areas in different parts of your home (every room ifpossible!) so that they are drawn to devour books without being asked.Let them build forts equipped with books, flashlights, and pillows for hours of escape. simple huge pile of A 26

pillows makes the perfect nest to get lost -in a story. Be sensitive 3. Be a matchmuken to their intereststo match them up with books. Ifthey are passionateabout playing baseball in the summer,go to the library and let them explore titles on the subject. Ifthere is a television show or movie they are especially moved by, find related books so they can go deeperinto the material. 4. Bend the rules. Occasionally bend the rules at bedtime (maybe an extra2} minutes) to encouragereading in bed. -0 33 Adverlising: 4-209 552

Make sure their reading material at night is not scary or apt to give them bad dreams. 5. Bag o' books. Have a tote full of books in the car or near the door so that there are always books on hand to read for errands,appointments,and times waiting is involved.

after dinner or a breakfast ritual.

8. Don't be u hypocrite. Get caught reading. You need to practice what you are preaching to reinforce it. Let them seeyou read novels, the paper,magazines, recipes, and mail. Point out signs and billboards when you'te in the car and ask them questionsto check for understanding.

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6. Don't freak about levels.Do not

be overly concemedwith the reading level of the material your child choosesover the summer.We want kids to fall in love with books, not be turned offbecause of if limits. So don't be concerned your child some selectionsyou consider too turns to juvenile. 7. Resd uloud. Be willing to read aloud to your child evenif apart ofyou feels they are way too old for it. They're not! As a tutor, I have found that reading aloud even to my older studentshas incredible value. You can stop and ask them questionsand check for understanding. Hearing languageand new vocabulary and forming images as they listen all counts and matters! Don't limit reading aloud to bedtime either.You could make it an

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times. Let them dictatea story and then read it back to them.Ask them to write 50 words that begin with "B." Work on a crossword przzle together.The idea is to stay immersed in words, letters,and languageevery day. All of thesetips will help your child feel more confident aboutpracticing newly acquired skills andmore preparedfor the school year.The addedbonusis theseideaslend themselves opportunitiesfor high quality to connectionwith your child-which is never a wasteoftime.
Michele Ransrd has worked as an academic tutorfor a decade, She has a husband, two sons, and a master's in counseling.

9. Celebrate, Use your judgment for this one.Your kids may not need any reward progmm in place to motivate them. If they do, insteadofsetting a huge goal (100 books read by end of summer!),think realistically and shorterterm. Set an achievable weekly goal and a reasonable weekly reward (Cupcakes? Trip to the zoo?).

10. Be preparedfor occasionalwhining.Therewill moments justwill be they

not be in the mood to read.Have altemative languagebuilding activities in mind for these