The Summer Slide

The Summer Slide is what teachers observe every fall with students who spend very little time reading during the summer. Studies show that children who continue to read while on school break do better when they return to school in the fall. Public libraries have been promoting summer reading long before the phrase Summer Slide was invented. Libraries know all too well the myriad of non-reading activities that lure children away from books in summer.

Experts will explain that to prevent summer slide children need to read at least six books over the summer. But unless a child is already a book lover, the thought of reading six books, especially at a time when they want to ‘chill out’, will send most children running for cover.

One of the stumbling blocks to children embracing summer reading is that all-too-often parents push books that are ‘on grade level’ or something a bit more challenging. Hey, it’s summer! Children need time to kick back, have fun, and r-e-l-a-x! Let them read anything they want. Magazines, newspapers, graphic novels, comic strips, even picture books. Reading should be a pleasurable activity.

Still wondering how to make it happen? Here is a suggestion that has proven to be successful for years! (I could say centuries)

And, it’s free!

Join the Scarborough Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. This year our theme is ‘One World, Many Stories’. Kick-Off is Monday, June 20 at 6 pm with Slugger, the Portland Sea Dog’s mascot and Baxter, the Coon Cat from the Maine State Library. The Gym Dandies Children’s Circus will also be there.

Our noncompetitive Summer Reading Program is easy. We require no set number of books, pages, or minutes. Sign up, read whatever you like over the summer. Record the titles on your Reading Log. Then, to qualify for a free book prize and invitation to our Grand Finale on August 11, just turn in the Reading Logs by August 6.

Easy, peasy.

The Library has plenty of books to keep even the most reluctant reader happy. Ask the Youth Services staff for book suggestions. We love finding just the right book to spark a child’s enthusiasm and get them hooked on reading.

Another option is listening to an audio book. Record the titles on the Reading Log. We do have a great selection.

And, if you can’t find it on our shelves, you can always request books, both print and audio, through Minerva.

There, we’ve made it simple for parents to help their children stop the dreaded Summer Slide.

We’ll see you this summer @ the Library!