Summer Reading Programs - the Benefits

Reading? Sure. Reading, imagination building, comprehension honing - everything wonderful with reading is encompassed in a local library's reading program. Ty and Za are working through their first program, and I'm finding out this summer that they get more than just benefits from books.

When children are in a reading program, they...

1. Watch adults check-out books. Modeling reading is important, and what better way to show children that reading is part of everyday life than by checking out books alongside them?

2. Follow rules. I'm not just talking about "being quiet" in the library. They must adhere to the rules of the reading program.

3. Speak with adults. When I signed my kids in the program, I was thrilled that the librarian asked them their names, ages, and schools. They had to practice being polite and speaking to a stranger, but with mom right there.

4. Set a goal, and work toward it. When we leave the library with a new set of books, Ty and Za know what they need to read, and in what time frame.

5. Respect another person's property. This probably goes with library experiences altogether, but it is especially true with a high volume and frequency of books checked out: you must be nice to the books! They belong to someone else, and you are only borrowing them.

6. Have fun. My kids love the library, and they enjoy reading a variety of books. They do get excited about the "switch-up" a summer reading program provides, and excitement around books is important.

What else have you found that summer reading programs teach children?

We Addressed the 8 Intelligences: Linguistic, Interpersonal.