Summer is here! It’s time to run through sprinklers, man lemonade stands, ride bikes, and enjoy being outdoors. Fresh air and sunshine help to grow healthy kiddos; however, your child’s reading need not be compromised because of time spent outside. After all, reading and the outdoors are two great things that really do go great together! Speaking of great, Red Apple Reading has some great ideas for taking reading outside this summer.
Summer Suggestion
If your kiddos do not read outside it’s probably because they’ve never considered the possibility. So why not provide the suggestion? Place a basket full of books and a blanket outside and chances are your little one will take the bait!
Summer Tent Time
A fun outdoor reading nook also encourages children to get outside and read. Check out these 5 backyard tents (from CaféMom) that you can make for your kiddos. Once they’ve experienced the fun of reading in one of these, your kiddo might suggest an indoor version of the same!
Summer Sight Word Practice
If you have beginning readers, summer is the perfect time to practice sight words. Use sidewalk chalk to write common sight words on the pavement. As your little one reads the word let her “erase” it with a water hose or squirt bottle. More ideas for practicing sight words can be found on our Pinterest board, Sight Word Savvy.
Summer Reading Research
Purchase a field guide for you and your child to peruse together. Make sure to have it handy for consultation as your kiddo explores outside. When he spots an interesting bird or bug, he can grab the guide and research his findings. This works great for studying the stars at night too! Not only will he experience the benefit of reading but he will also have an impromptu science lesson as well.
Summer Scavenger Hunt
Do you have a hard time getting your child to sit still long enough to read a book? Don’t fret! There’s more than one way to help your little one brush up on her reading skills over the summer months. For instance, a scavenger hunt combines two fun activities – reading and running! Give a list of items to your little treasure hunter and set her loose to find them. She’ll have so much fun searching she won’t realize you slipped in a little reading practice.
Get outside this month and soak up some of that summer sunshine with your kiddos. And while that summer tan will eventually fade – remember that reading is forever!
