Whether they love reading about dogs, space, Harry Potter or farts, summer reading is good for them.
Summer is the perfect to check out and daydream. Kids need a break from the constant toll of the school year. Camp, swimming, time spent fishing and hanging out with friends is time well spent.
But what about reading? Having a summer reading list for your child can be a good idea, experts say.
Researchers from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville completed a 3-year study on the matter that showed the benefits. Students who received books for summer reading at home displayed significantly higher levels of reading than those who didn’t.
Related: 5 Best Summer Sports to Get Your Kids Moving and Off the Couch
One of the lead authors in the study, Richard Allington, compared reading to maintaining physical fitness.
“Just like hockey players lose some of their skills if they stay off their skates and off the ice for three months, children who do not read in the summer lose two to three months of reading development,” he said.
Kids who do read in the summer tend to gain about a month of reading proficiency. And over the years, it adds up. It’s a cheaper alternative to plunking them down in summer school, and a great way for kids to exercise their own skills, at a pace that suits them without the pressure or environment of school.
Not sure what to get them? Check out this list of bestsellers now on Amazon.com for a taste of summer fun.
