Catherine Coles
Coles’ Notes
Patricia Richard, who is responsible for running our children’s storytime in Napanee (Wednesdays at 10:30am), is something of an expert when it comes to finding ways to engage children through reading. Just in time for summer, she has written the piece below outlining what is meant by the “Summer Slide” (aka summer learning loss) in the context of early literacy and what parents/caregivers can do to prevent it. Here are Patricia’s insights and suggestions:
It is officially summer vacation for students! Libraries across Canada are prepared as TD Summer Reading Club programs have launched to encourage all readers to set reading goals, attend programs, and get prizes! Here at L&A Libraries we have a full lineup of programs that are sure to entertain and engage children of all ages: gross science, award winning author Peggy Collins, LEGO mania, cardboard forts, bad art, tie dye, story walks, “robot fun” and “art attack” to name a few.
The TD Summer Reading Club program is designed to inspire kids to explore the fun of reading their way which is key to building a lifelong love of reading, as well it keeps children reading over the course of the summer to help prevent the ‘Summer Slide’. What is the Summer Slide? Simply put, it means that student learning regresses over the vacation; if you don’t use the skills that have been learned over the school year, you forget them.
How can we encourage our kids to read?
- Go to the library and check out a stack of books or graphic novels or magazines – it all counts!
- Download the Libby by Overdrive and Hoopla apps and read books or listen to audiobooks from your phone or tablet
- Read or listen to books together
- Start a book club with friends
- Sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club
Here are some book suggestions to help keep the kids engaged this summer:
- Craft Camp Over 40 Fun Projects for Kids by Nathalie Mornu
- The Kids Cottage Games Book by Jane Drake
- Ultimate At Home Activity Guide by Mike Lowery
- 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids by Asia Citro
- The World Almanac True-or-False Questions for Smart Kids
So head to the library or check us out online and together we can entertain, inspire, and conquer summer vacation.