If you have a visual learner, a summer reading program may scare you and your child. But reading is an essential skill and you’ll both have to bite the bullet and do it. Never fear – there’s a light at the end of the tunnel…. your local library. They know how to make reading fun for your child, so it’s easy on you.

Our local library, like so many others around the country, has a variety of special reading events throughout the summer to keep kids reading. This year our library’s summer theme, Paws to Read, is built around Clifford the Big Red Dog. In an effort to get kids into the library they have a variety of interactive exhibits, game days and special events all centered on Clifford.

To get kids to read and keep reading throughout the summer – there’s a Summer Reading Challenge. This is my favorite part.

• The library sets up reading goals, age appropriate and ones you can adapt to your child’s reading level.
• Kids register to participate. So it’s a choice and commitment they make and they feel really cool when they sign up. In our family we made this a very big deal!
• The library provides a reading log, so kids can track their reading time. It’s always good to see the how much time is being spent reading. This can help motivate kids and parents.
• When kids meet their goals, they head back to the library to collect praise and prizes! They feel good about meeting their goals, honoring a commitment and the prizes are a fun extra.

Libraries really want people to read and they put a lot of effort into creating programs and activities to help you keep your kids engaged. So stop in, check out some books for the kids and see what your library has to offer this summer. If there are no reading programs being offered – I hope this story gets your creative juices flowing.

What do you do to keep your kids reading all summer?