5 Activities to Encourage Summer Reading and Writing

Studies show that students who stop reading and writing during the summer months will find their skills and school performance have declined when the new year begins. That’s why summer learning is so important. In this series, entitled Summer Enrichment Activities, we’ve gathered some fun ways to help close that summer learning gap.

Try these five activities below to keep your child’s reading and writing skills at peak level all summer long!

1. Reading BINGO

Make summer reading a game by using these fun Summer Reading BINGO charts we found on The Chirping Moms website. Add to the game by setting a goal for how long your child will read, and then give one or several prizes to celebrate their successes!

2. Summer Journal

Writing is a great way to avoid suffering from that all-too-common summer learning loss. Get your students a summer journal where they can practice writing with prompt sheets, such as the one above using a printable page from OverstuffedLife.com. They can also use it to draw a picture, keep track of the books they’ve read, keep their vocabulary list or inspiring quotes they like. It can be a place for anything. What a great opportunity to see their creativity flourish!

3. Vocabulary Jar

Summer may not seem like a great time to practice vocabulary, but if you encourage your children through context, you may be surprised at the outcome. Create a vocabulary word jar that will introduce new words that are relevant to summertime activities that you all enjoy, and, ultimately, you will improve your family’s conversational vocabulary.

4. Sight Word Practice

Teaching sight words can sometimes be a bore, but you can make it fun if you get innovative. Try getting your kids to practice their sight words in different ways like tracing on play-doh, sand or chalk. Depending on your medium, they can be a great indoor activity for those rainy days, too.

5. Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are a fun way to eliminate writer’s block and help intellectual development. They help to inspire creativity and create a habit of writing, and sometimes will help the student learn something new. One neat way to create writing prompts is by putting an item in a paper bag. Your student can reach inside to feel what it is, but cannot see it. They’ll then write down what they feel, what they think it is, what they think it can do, what it may taste like, etc.

How are you keeping your kids learning this summer? Share your ideas with us in the comments.