Dive into Reading this Summer

Studies show that children who do not read or have access to books during the summer lose roughly two months of reading achievement. This summer learning loss is sometimes called “summer slide.” These losses can accumulate during the elementary school years and by the time a child enters middle school the gap can be as wide as 2.5 years.

All children can experience summer slide if not provided with summer reading opportunities. One way to prevent summer learning loss AND accelerate reading growth is to enroll your child in your local library’s summer reading program. Summer reading programs frequently feature activities, events and prizes for children (and often adults) who participate.

This year the summer reading program at the Detroit Public Library–Redford Branch located at 21200 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48219 –  a less than 10-minute drive from Detroit Achievement Academy – will begin on Friday, June 23 and run every Friday through August 11 from 1:00p to 3:00p. The program will feature a summer filled with weekly reading challenges, fun, games and prizes. Children are invited to come at noon to get a grab-and-go lunch.

The theme of this year’s program is “All Together Now.” The library will be partnering with Huron-Clinton Metroparks and the Michigan Science Center with a finale featuring Detroit Hives (and bees!). For more information about the summer reading program at the Detroit Public Library–Redford Branch, please check out (pun intended!) this flyer or call the library at 313-481-1820.

While you and your child are at the library you can help your child find “just right” books (books your child can enjoy reading independently). To find a book that is just right, try using the 5 finger test. Here’s how it works: Your child opens the book to any page. They read the page and hold up 1 finger for each word they don’t know. The number of fingers they’re holding up by the end of the page tells them if the book is the right level. 2-3 fingers typically indicates that the book is just right.

Finally, encourage your child to read at least 20 minutes a day this summer. Research has shown that a child who reads 1 minute a day outside of school will learn 8,000 words by the end of 6th grade whereas a child who reads 20 minutes a day will learn 1,800,000 words. What an ENORMOUS difference!

So, why not enroll your child in a reading program at your local library this summer? Not only will they have fun, they will also grow as readers.

Happy summer AND happy summer reading!

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”

–Albert Einstein