Tips to Improve Your Child’s Reading and Writing Ability During Summer Break

Have your child help younger kids with their reading and writing. They can read with them, record a book on tape, show them how to write a story, or whatever else the child needs help with. This will not only help the younger child improve their reading and writing skills, the older child will improve theirs as well. And it is never a bad idea to teach children the value of helping others.

Hot summer days create the perfect opportunity for some inside work. This might be the perfect time for your child to learn about their family’s history. The research involved will help your child with critical reading skills and recording it will build their writing abilities. Don’t expect your child to jump right in at your suggestion, though. You’ll have to sell this to your child and get involved yourself. Once you get started, however, their interest (as well as yours) will probably grow.

Find a quiet corner of the house and designate it as your home’s official reading nook. You could put bean bag chairs, a couch, recliner, and/or any other furnishings you think your child would like. Be sure to provide plenty of good lighting. You could add a bookshelf and baskets of books, magazines, and writing pads and utensils as well. The more your child reads and writes, the more he will improve his reading and writing skills.

Create a family book club. Be careful to make it as unlike school as possible. Pick a book that your child will find interesting or allow them to choose the book. Ideally, you would choose one together. Serve snacks or go out to dinner on discussion nights. This will not only help to improve your child’s reading and writing skills, it will also provide some time for your family to bond with each other.

If there is a book that has a movie coming out, tell your child you will take them to the movie if they read the book. You might want to include dinner out and allow them to invite a friend.

Don’t think that the only way to improve reading and writing skills is by reading novels. If your son is interested in cars get him a subscription to a car magazine. Graphic novels and comic books are also good for kids to read.

Don’t feel like you have to do everything on this list. Pick one or two and start there. Don’t get discouraged if your child doesn’t go for it, either. You might need to choose a different activity or just give it more time.

If you have any tips to add then please post a comment and share them.