Families have a lot going on. When you’re trying to raise a reader, summer can be a tough time (although the data about summer learning loss is inconsistent). Plenty of kids want to fling their bookbag into the back of the closet and never crack a cover for the next ninety days. Without the structure of school and with schedules being go-go-go even in the summer, extrinsic motivation (rewards) is a must. Enter summer reading programs.
Here are four summer reading programs you can sign up for today:
In this program, participants log their minutes reading to earn badges. 500 minutes means a chance to pick out a book to own at a library branch; 1000 minutes means a chance to pick out a second book to own at a library branch. Additional badges are entries into the grand prize raffle. The program runs from June 1 through August 8th. This is an all-ages challenge
If you are not local to the Charlottesville area, look into whether your local library is hosting a summer reading challenge
The Barnes & Noble summer reading challenge includes filling out a log with the books you’ve read. Once you’ve read eight books, you can take the log into your local store and pick out one book for free from the provided list. Participants are in K through 6th grade. The challenge runs through August.
The Pizza Hut Summer of Stories Program
Via the BookIt App, parents register their K-6th grade student and select a goal reading time per day (15 min, 30 min, etc.). If the child meets the goal for that day, the parent marks the day as done in the app. When the child has successfully done 15 days per month, they earn a free personal pizza at Pizza Hut.
The National Book Foundation Summer Reading Adventure
The National Book Foundation’s challenge includes checking off 12 reading-related activities (“Listen to an audiobook,” “Attend or host your own reading party”) as well as a few written answers to questions. Filling out the form enters you into their grand prize drawing. Participants must be 18 years or older. Entries may be submitted until August 26th.
If you’re wondering why I included an adult-only summer reading challenge, consider this: seeing you read and challenge yourself makes reading a family affair. It shows kids that reading is a lifelong pursuit. If you have any kids with a competitive streak in your household, it also gives you a chance to go head-to-head with them on your book count or minutes reading goal.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
Rachel Vogus' Habits and Hobbies 