Battling the Summer Reading Slump: Why It’s Crucial for Kids to Keep Reading All Summer Long

As school winds down and the excitement of summer break kicks in, it’s easy to let routines slide - including (and especially) reading. For many kids, the excitement of swimming pools, video games, and late bedtimes means books get pushed aside. But taking a break from reading over the summer can have long-lasting consequences. This is commonly known as the “summer reading slump”- a preventable decline in reading skills and motivation during the school vacation months.

So, what Is the Summer Reading Slump?

The summer reading slump refers to the loss of academic skills that children can experience when they are out of school and not regularly engaging with educational material, especially books. Research shows that students who don’t read over the summer can lose up to two to three months of reading development.

Why Continued Reading Matters:

1. Preserving Skills: Reading is like a muscle - the more it’s used, the stronger it gets. Children work hard all school year to build vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. Taking the entire summer off can cause those abilities to weaken and make returning to school more challenging. 

2. Building a Lifelong Habit: Summer is a great time to foster a love for reading by letting kids explore books that match their interests, not just school requirements. Whether it’s graphic novels, fantasy, sports biographies, or science adventures, letting kids choose their own reading material can turn reading from a chore into a cherished hobby.

3. Expanding Vocabulary and Imagination: Exposure to new words and ideas through stories boosts vocabulary and broadens kids' worldviews. Summer reading gives children the choice to explore new genres and concepts that they might not get to read about during the school year.

4. Maintaining a Routine: Keeping a regular reading habit during the summer helps maintain a sense of routine and intellectual engagement. Even just 20 minutes of reading a day can have a significant positive impact.

   
   

How to Prevent the Summer Slide:

• Join a Book Club: Truly Teachers offers a variety of virtual summer book clubs over the summer - check them out here!

• Visit the Library: Most libraries offer summer reading programs with incentives, events, and age-appropriate reading lists.

• Create a Reading Nook: A cozy, distraction-free space makes reading more inviting.

• Set up Family Reading Time: Reading together models good habits and makes reading more enjoyable. 

  
  

Key Takeaways:

The summer reading slump is real - but it’s also preventable! By weaving reading into the fabric of summer fun, parents and caregivers can help children retain their skills, spark their imaginations, and set them up for a strong start in the fall. So whether it’s under a beach umbrella, on a road trip, or at the park, reading over the summer makes a huge impact. 

That's why Truly Teachers hosts our Virtual Summer Book Club Program. It's an easy way for your child to keep reading, stay engaged academically, while also having fun over the summer. We have both July and August clubs available.