Summer Reading Program

Summer is a break from the school routine.  It's time to enjoy some lazy days, right?  Well, experts say we shouldn't let it be all lazy.  What I mean is, we need to make sure our kids' brains stay in gear so to speak this summer.  Here's why:  studies show that children can lose as much as two to three months worth of learning over the summer, if they don't read.

The good news is that it's pretty easy to keep up with reading during these off-months.  The Mobile Public Library offers a summer reading program  complete with prizes, games and entertainment.  The idea is to keep our little ones interested in books, and have some fun at the same time.  Amber Guy is with the Mobile Public Library, she explains children can "sign up, select a reading goal.  They can select the number of hours they want to read, the number of books they want to read.  When they sign up, they get a free Mobile Public Library backpack and throughout the 6 weeks, we have special performances at each library location.  We have special story times, other fun events depending on library location to keep kids involved and learning throughout the summer."

Again, reading is key to maintaining a whole lot of the knowledge our kids worked so hard to get all school year long.  Here are some ideas to keep reading fun this summer.

• Sign up for programs like the one at the Mobile Public Library.  The check-list and activities are designed just for kids.
• You could also look at doing book swaps with friends or family members.
• Create book clubs to talk about what you, your kids, and their friends are reading.
• Plan day-trips around books.  When they're reading books about the beach, for example, you can go there.  That's a fun way to keep the interest up.

 For more summer reading ideas, click here or here .  And, to find out more about the Mobile Public Library's summer reading program, click here.