Summer reading programs are popping up around the Upper Cumberland and a Tennessee Tech professor said it is important for kids to keep reading during the break.
Dr. Amber Spears is an Associate Professor of Literacy Methods. Spears said summer reading helps kids get consistent practice in grammar and vocabulary development that they otherwise lose while out of school. Spears said it is important for kids to learn the joy of reading so they’ll stick with it long term.
“As kids are reading more books or stories that make them laugh, or think, or feel connected to the characters that they’re reading about, I think that’s where we begin to see a transformation of where kids don’t just see reading as schoolwork, but as part of their identity and who they are,” Spears said.
Spears said summer reading is especially important for kids in kindergarten through third grade. Spears said kids are more motivated to read when they can choose books they enjoy.
“Let them read novels,” Spears said. “Let them read magazines. Let them read joke books or fantasy series. All of those are awesome. But maybe at the same time, we can give kids opportunities to read content-rich informational books or chapter books. Maybe that creates a balance.”
Spears said summer reading helps kids enter the next school year more engaged and confident.
“They’re ready to tackle the new content that’s going to be taught,” Spears said. “They can jump into those more advanced skills in the next year without having to go back and backtrack or re-learn some of those skills they learned in the previous grade.”
Spears said an additional benefit is it helps kids get used to routine and structure like they would have in a school day.
