Reading is its own reward - but many companies offer an incentive to make summer reading all the more fun for your children. Educators say regular reading is the most important thing you can encourage to keep your kids' minds sharp. Even better, you can instill a life-long love of reading - and what's better than reading on the beach, in a hammock, or by the pool?
If you are interested in wonky, research side of children's reading, here's a great overview. Basically, study after study shows children from all backgrounds score higher on tests and show comprehension and vocabulary gains if they read 5-6 books during the summer. And you don't need to fill up your Amazon cart to reap the benefits: use of public libraries strongly correlates to school success and reading proficiency.
Libraries
Most libraries have reading programs in the summer. Kids set a goal, track the number of books they read, and sometimes get a prize at the end. Libraries often have fun events for kids to supplement the reading programs. For example, Forsyth County's theme is "Be Creative @ Your Library." They have storytellers, puppeteers, and musicians scheduled to come, as well as special events for middle-schoolers and teens.
Click here to find links to Atlanta -area libraries.
Online Programs
Scholastic has an online program for kids ages 7-12 with quizzes, games, prizes, and competitions. Children are on teams, and the winning team at the end of the summer will get to choose which charity will recieve a donation from scholastic. Kids can earn extra points by taking quizzes and playing games, and they can enter to win books weekly.
There's a separate tracking program for families with children ages 0-7.
Don't miss the links for parents - they have great ideas about raising a reader, books kids love, parent/child book clubs, and more.
Sylvan's online program is a free motivational tool for kids in grades K-8. They can track their reading, take quizzes, and earn points and prizes.
Reading is Fundamental has a challenge that runs from April 1 -June 30. Kids log reading minutes and have the opportunity to win a trip to Disney World and other prizes.
Bookstore-based Programs
Barnes and Noble gives kids a free book once they have read eight books (they don't have to be purchased at B&N) and written about them in a reading journal. You can download the paperwork at the link, or you can go to Barnes and Noble to pick up a packet. The program runs from May 26 - September 7, 2009.
Borders/Waldenbooks has a program called Kids Reading Challenge! at their stores. Download the worksheet, track at least eight books, and bring the worksheet to Borders for a 50% off coupon. Dates for the program are May 26 - August 31, 2009.
Half Price Books isn't in Georgia, but I wish it were! With their Feed Your Brain promotion, kids age 12 and under can earn $3 gift cards for each week they read for 15 minutes per day. Dates are June 1 - July 31, 2007.
Other Incentives
Chuck E. Cheese has incentive calendars on their website, and one of them is a reading tracker. Once kids fill up the two-week calendar, they can bring it to Chuck E. Cheese for 10 free tokens. Incidentally, there are lots of other tracker calendars, including ones to help with thumb-sucking, pottytraining, manners, and homework!
Hebuddy is offering a free t-shirt when kids read 10 books this summer. Just track the books on the downloadable list, and mail it by August 9, 2009. In 2-3 weeks, your child receives a free t-shirt!
Many banks offer reading incentives; check with your local branch!
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Did I miss any programs that you know about? Please let me know in the comments!
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