As August rolls around, many families, including mine, are squeezing every last drop from those sunny summer days—by keeping the kids indoors to tackle their summer reading assignments. It’s time for them to dust off that hefty book you bought back in June and dive into whatever thought-provoking novel their teacher has assigned, often accompanied by a heavy dose of life lessons. Here are some clever strategies to guide you from “Once upon a time…” to “The End” without it turning into a detective story.
1. Set Daily Page Goals
Start by calculating the total number of pages in the book and divide that by the days left until school starts. Do the same for the entire summer vacation. This will help your child grasp just how far behind they are. If they grumble, remind them gently—after all, they love it when we do that.
2. Reward Progress with Snacks
Offer treats only when they meet their daily page targets. Until then, consider Neccos for a quick energy boost, but keep an eye on their hydration—frequent bathroom breaks can disrupt focus.
3. Create Anticipation
Use phrases like “Have you reached the part where…? Oh, never mind, I won’t give it away!” The goal is to sound genuinely excited. No matter what chapter they’re on, let them know they’re almost at the thrilling part. When they finish and ask what that part was, cheerfully say, “You’re done! That’s the best part!”
4. Engage with the Characters
Skim through a site like Wikipedia to learn the main characters’ names and ask them which “team” they support. For instance, if they’re reading Brave New World, you might ask if they’re on Team Bernard or Team John. You can even throw in a comment about how the school’s choice of reading material is a bit “inappropriate.”
5. Avoid Overhyping the Book
Don’t fall into the trap of gushing about how amazing the book is. My daughter, for example, is reading The Poisonwood Bible, which I absolutely adore, but at 576 pages, it’s a bit of a slog and rather somber. After all, summer reading tends to come with a side of melancholy as a prep for the school year.
6. Visit the Library
Consider a trip to the local library, where reading is encouraged. Some even have Starbucks inside—what’s not to love?
7. Audiobook Adventures
Play the audiobook during car rides until it’s finished. I once took my son to Chipotle in Iowa just to keep the story going. This might be trickier with multiple kids, though!
8. Dinner Discussion
Quiz your child over dinner about their reading to ensure they are absorbing the material. If you haven’t read the book, no worries—SparkNotes has you covered.
9. Host a Book Club
Organize a discussion group with their friends to talk about the book just like an adult book club. Make sure they engage fully in the conversation, and just like in most book groups, a few might have actually read it and can help the others bluff their way through. They may not be able to sip wine, but you can!
10. Prepare for Late Nights
When it comes down to the wire, stock up on coffee and M&M’s for an all-nighter. Sometimes, I even share the treats with my daughter! My husband and I join in the fun, both of us being avid readers. My daughter jokingly claims she must have been switched at birth, wishing for a family that encourages pool time instead of reading.
Ultimately, accept that this will be a recurring event every summer, despite your best intentions to change it. We all prefer doing what we want over what we have to do. Speaking of which, my laundry is piling up and my garden is overrun with weeds. I think I’ll escape into a good book.
Summary
Tackling summer reading assignments doesn’t have to be a chore. By setting achievable goals, creating excitement around the reading material, and utilizing fun strategies like snacks and discussions, you can help your children engage with their books while still enjoying the summer. For more insights on related topics, check out this article and learn about resources like intrauterine insemination for pregnancy assistance.
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