Make This Summer a Page-Turner School’s Out, but Learning’s On!
School may be out, but your child’s reading and writing progress doesn’t need to take a vacation! Summer is the perfect time to enjoy extra fun, family time, and relaxation, but it’s also a common season for young readers to fall behind. To combat the summer slide and keep them engaged, you can do things
at home that encourage them to keep up the progress before they return to class. Here are three fun and easy ways to keep the pages turning, whether in your cozy reading nook at home or a summer getaway! PLAY WITH PURPOSE One of the best ways to keep your child engaged in reading this summer is to make it fun! Get creative with activities, encouraging them to use their imagination, hone their skills, and practice core concepts. You could do arts and crafts projects like painting or sculpting that help them develop their motor skills and explore storytelling in a new light. Help them write stories, poems, or even comics that speak to topics they are interested in. FIELD TRIP FLAIR Your summer vacations and trips to different destinations can be great opportunities to bring reading and writing to life. Plan educational excursions where your children
can explore something new while getting essential practice. A fun day trip to a zoo or aquarium can teach them about zoology and nature, or a museum visit can give them a peek into history and art. Stop at the exhibits and read aloud about what you are looking at. Add another layer of learning by asking them questions about what they see, hear, or think. JOIN THE READING PARTY Many local libraries and other community programs host summer reading clubs to keep students interested in learning during their school breaks. These clubs typically offer books tailored for specific age groups and include activities, workshops, and sometimes even prizes. Not only will this keep your child motivated, but it will also help them meet other young people. At The Reading Ranch, we offer fun and comprehensive summer reading classes to make learning and writing fun and beat the summer slide. Contact us today to learn more!
Words That Wow Building Big Vocabularies for Bright Futures
Vocabulary is one of the main building blocks for successful reading, writing, and communication skills. Children start picking up new words at an early age, and you can help them build a larger vocabulary base that will help them master language and become more confident readers. By focusing on age- appropriate words and implementing different activities to help them learn, you can expand their word bank, boost comprehension, and make language fun. Let’s spell out the best methods to introduce your little learner to new words with confidence. DAILY CONVERSATIONS The conversations you have with your child daily can help build stronger vocabulary skills. By talking to them, you naturally expose them to new words and give them a chance
to practice. Ask open-ended questions that prompt in-depth responses and challenge them to get descriptive. Asking what they are feeling, what they enjoyed about their day, or how they solved a problem will spark them to express their thoughts with the full array of the words they know. Expand their responses by adding details to show them new words and phrases. READ TOGETHER Make time to read together out loud. Make sure you choose books at their reading level that introduce new vocabulary. Give them various genres to keep it interesting and appeal to the topics they are most curious about. Picture books are a great option because they help children visualize new words, allowing them to stick. This is another excellent opportunity to
ask them questions about the text and how the story made them feel.
WORD GAMES Make vocabulary entertaining by playing games that aim to enhance their communication skills. Word association games are a great way to get young minds thinking about the connection between words and their meanings. It could be as simple as playing “I Spy,” giving them clues about a word they must guess. Rhyming games can help them understand word patterns and provide a positive challenge. Give them a word they have to rhyme with and a time limit. At The Reading Ranch, we know how to make learning new words fun, not frustrating! Contact us today to learn about our vocabulary programs!
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