School is starting in just 4 weeks! If your children are anything like my son Matt was, reading might be a struggle. In my book, Being Visual, I share a few insights into why reading can be such a struggle and how to get those kids to sit still and read! Meanwhile, here are some tips to get everyone back into reading.

20 minutes a day – no matter what. I hope you’ve enjoyed some creative ways to read this summer, audio books, watching movies based on kids’ books and reading aloud, but it’s time to get serious about daily, focused reading practice. Real books. Paperbacks or hardcover, but real books. 20 minutes a day. No matter what. Make sure it’s the ‘right’ kind of book, right level, engaging, etc. And once that’s for sure, it’s about putting in the time, no matter what. That first week of school will be so much better, when you put the time in now. I think this is a make or break kind of thing to do with school starts on the horizon.

Read everything- Just like with writing, opportunities to read are everywhere. Take that grocery list to the store and have your child read it and find the correct items. When school supply shopping, have your child read their list of items needed. When you go out to dinner, your child can read the menu to decide what they want to eat. Read cereal boxes while eating breakfast, read recipes while making dinner, whatever you might be reading in your daily routine, your kids may be able to read for you.

Finish the summer reading list- If you have older kids, middle school and high school, there’s probably a list of summer reading to be completed before school starts. Check their progress and check what’s on the list. I remember when my son had to read Great Expectations the summer before eighth grade. And as much as we can all respect Dickens’s work – that is NOT a book to have to read alone over the summer, especially a visual learner that doesn’t like to read. There are times you need to watch the movie and skim the cliff notes! Just get it done in a way they can handle. But get through that list.

Get those prizes!- If you signed up for your local library reading program, it’s not too late to finish up the reading goals and get in there to claim your prizes. While you’re in there, check out some books to read!

As much as visual kids needed the break from school type stuff, they are going to be back in the classroom and READING in every part of their day. The older kids get, the more school success depends on reading and understanding what was read. So, time to ‘interrupt’ the fun and get the books out!