How Reading Prevents the Summer Slide
By: Christina Miller President, Millhopper Montessori School
During the summer, it is important to inspire your children to prevent the “summer slide” and stay creative and curious.
For preschool through second grade, the best way to prepare your child to be successful is to prepare the foundation for building intelligence and being self-motivated. It is simpler than you may think; read to them as often as you can. As a parent, you hold the ability to actually increase your child’s learning potential by reading to him/her daily.
It is common knowledge that reading aloud to children is a good thing to do and many of us have our own fond memories of when our parents read to us. But you may not know the research that supports this has provided proof of the benefits and explains exactly what these benefits are.
The Early Moments Book Club has compiled a list of 10 reasons why you should read to your children:
- A stronger relationship with you
- Academic excellence
- Basic speech skills
- The basics of how to read a book
- Better communication skills
- Mastery of language
- More logical thinking
- Acclimation to new experiences
- Enhanced concentration and discipline
- Knowing that reading is fun
Go to their website www.earlymoments.com to see the expanded rationale behind all ten reasons.
Neuroscience discoveries support reading aloud to young children, beginning with babies. Not only do we know logically that it is a highly intimate experience, and it is well documented that it helps children later become successful in learning to read, but it is also backed up scientifically. The Association of American Publishers has gone so far as to compile citations to help parents see the importance from a scientific standpoint.
Much of this new research has come from the latest technologies that allow researchers to study how the brain grows and functions. Now that the brain can be studied through brain imaging, they have been able to discern that the “architecture” of a baby’s brain is more influenced by experiences than genetic predisposal. The imaging technology can actually see brain cells being turned on as a child is hearing a story read. Scientific evidence also shows pathways strengthening and new brain cells begin to form and grow. The American Academy of Pediatrics acknowledges the importance of reading aloud, including this in the instructions given to parents at well-child visits.
If you are not already reading aloud daily to your children, it is never too late to begin. You can alternate strategies, such as just telling the story through its pictures, reading the words and retelling the story. If your child becomes familiar with the story, have him/her finish some of the sentences from memory.
I would recommend choosing stories that teach character building, problem solving and love. These give many opportunities to discuss the story.
I also recommend taking advantage of the wonderful programs offered at the public library such as the Summer Reader Palooza on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to noon at Depot Park. The Summer Reader Palooza will highlight Summer Reading and feature fun activities.
The summer can fly by, but it is a significant amount of time for children, when they can “slide” backwards from their current or newly learned skills. This specifically impacts reading skills. Reading aloud to your children is not only beneficial for their growing minds, but it is also the best quality time you can have with them and can be one of the fondest memories of childhood.
Summer can be a perfect time.
– Christina Miller. Owner/Head of School at the Millhopper Montessori School, LLC. MMS is an independent, for-profit Montessori school, founded by Miller in 1977. MMS serves children from age two through middle school, is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and is affiliated with the American Montessori Society. MMS is proud to have second-generation families and employed alumni, as well as a strong collaboration of past and present families.
