Julie Aylward Summer fun and relaxation is on everyone’s mind this month. When we think of summer, we often think of trips to the beach, relaxing by the pool, play dates and vacations. However, there is one topic that we don’t often think about and we need to, summer reading. The evidence is clear that students who do not read during the summer months may lose up to three months of reading progress. It is also known that good readers have a continual list of books to read. Take the time when you are relaxing poolside or beachside this summer to enjoy a good book with your child. Take trips to your local library, bookstore and book depot and load up on books for summer reading. Make an event about going to choose the books and let your child enjoy reading the book jackets to decide which novel intrigues them. Encourage them to read when you are waiting in the doctors office, travelling by car, waiting for their sibling to finish practice, basically anytime you can. Whether we measure summer reading by number of books read, time spent reading, or the number of visits to the local library, summer reading will systematically boost your child’s test scores and overall academic performance. Don’t let your investment in your child’s private education and reading progress slip behind, make time this summer to read. “A book is like a magical thing that lets you travel to far away places without ever having to leave your chair.” Katerina Mayer
Wheatley School Montessori and International Baccalaureate school