Summer is the perfect time to slow down, soak up the sunshine, and sneak in some meaningful literacy support at home! As a parent, you are your child’s first and most impactful teacher. Whether your child is a reluctant reader, a struggling reader, or just needs a little extra encouragement, there are many simple, effective ways to foster a love of reading over the summer months. Here are a few suggestions from Abby Hanrahan, an Eagle Hill Educational Advisor, Co-Director of the Reading Department, and advocate for building lifelong literacy.
1. Model Reading Every Day
One of the most powerful ways to support your child’s literacy is to model it yourself. Reading is a life skill, just like brushing your teeth or tying your shoes, and when kids see adults treating reading as an important part of daily life, they’re more likely to value it, too.
Let your child see you reading a book, the newspaper, or even a recipe. Set aside a short window each day for everyone in the family to read, together or in parallel. And don’t stop reading aloud to your child just because they’ve learned to read independently! Listening to a fluent reader helps children build vocabulary, comprehension, and a deeper understanding of language.
2. Sneak in Reading Throughout the Day
Reading doesn’t only happen in books! Opportunities to practice reading are all around us: on signs, menus, maps, and more. Ask your child to help you add items to the grocery list or read the ingredients on a food label. Take them shopping and encourage them to locate the items on your list. This kind of real-world reading not only strengthens literacy, but it also reinforces the idea that reading is a necessary- and useful- life skill. Bonus: you can sneak in a little math while comparing prices or calculating change!
3. Unplug on Car Rides
Today’s car rides often mean everyone is plugged into their own screen or device. By unplugging and playing classic word games like “I Spy” or the alphabet game, you can make the most of this time together. These simple, screen-free games build vocabulary, letter awareness, rapid naming, and categorizing- all of which are essential components of strong language development. Best of all, they’re fun and don’t require any preparation or materials.
4. Listen to Audiobooks as a Family
Whether you’re on a road trip or relaxing at home, audiobooks are a great way to engage your child in rich language experiences. Listening to stories read aloud can help improve vocabulary, comprehension, prosody (the rhythm and expression of language), and critical thinking skills. Audiobooks also allow children to access high-interest stories that might be above their independent reading level, keeping them connected to content they’re excited about. Listening to- or reading- the same stories creates opportunities for connection and conversation.
Remember, summer reading doesn’t have to be a chore—and it certainly doesn’t have to look like schoolwork. With a little creativity and consistency, you can help your child stay connected to language and learning all summer long. Keep it light, keep it joyful, and keep reading!
Kara Ashley is the Director of Enrollment at Eagle Hill, a year round reading superfan, and literacy teacher passionate about helping every child discover the joy of reading.
