Summer reading program exercises children's minds
By THOMAS BROWN, T&D Staff Writer Friday, May 30, 2003
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Books don't offer a Sun Protection Factor, but they can take readers to tropical climes. They don't get budding couch spuds off the sofa, but they exercise the imagination. They don't strengthen the body, but they make the mind capable of heavy thoughts.
Books Ahoy, the summer reading program at the Orangeburg County libraries, will begin on June 2. It is designed to motivate children to read throughout the summer, thereby continuing their academic development.
Director of Books Ahoy, Children's Librarian Lorene Dennis, employs several motivational techniques to encourage children's summer reading - certificates, prizes and other forms of recognition - but emphasizes another component in supporting reading in children.
"Parents play a vital role in helping their children develop good reading habits," Dennis said. "Their involvement with their children during the summer can make all the difference in whether summer reading is an exciting adventure or a frustrating disappointment."
Dennis offers several tips to parents to help make their children's summer reading activities all that they can and should be.
Help your children set realistic reading goals for the summer. Try to encourage a goal which will challenge a child but not be so ambitious that enjoyment of the book becomes a chore.
Establish a regular time for reading in your home for all members of the family.
Offer to share stories at bedtime or as dinner conversation. Stories from your own childhood are especially appealing to children, but being creative and using your imagination can be equally enjoyable.
Encourage your children to share favorite stories with you.
Show genuine interest in the stories, books or programs your children enjoy during the summer.
Appreciate all books your children select, even the ones that look too easy. Summer is a time for fun, and you can always guide your children to more challenging books the next time you visit the library.
Read to your children. Even if children are able to read themselves, they still enjoy hearing good stories read to them.
Read yourself! And make sure your children know you enjoy reading. There is nothing like a good role model.
If your children attend daycare, make sure that reading is a daily part of their activities. Send books to daycare with them, and make sure they are provided time during the day to read. Many daycare centers make reading a daily part of their activities; make sure your daycare center is one of them.
Visit the library as often as possible.
When you're traveling, make sure each child has a book to read. You may want to try books on tape that the entire family can enjoy during hours on the road.
"An excellent way to apply these tips would be for parents to help their children participate in the summer vacation reading program at local libraries," Dennis said. "I encourage parents to take their children to the Orangeburg County Library, the Holly Hill Branch Library, the North Branch Library, the Mentor Branch Library or the Branchville Branch Library for a summer of fun participation."
Dennis said parents who actively participate in developing their children's reading interests have a significant impact on lifelong reading habits.
"And encouraging children to continue reading during the summer months is a solid step in the right direction," she said.
T&D Staff Writer Thomas Brown can be reached by e-mail at tbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5532.
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