Thrifty Thursday: Summer Reading With Children

It's no secret that coming up with entertainment for the long days of summer can be a challenge to many moms. Caroline has some GREAT tips on how to provide educational, fun entertainment through READING! Thankfully, it can often be acheived at minimal or even no cost thanks to her great program suggestions.

No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books.  ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Many schools have already completed the school year and the summer schedule is in progress.  At the start of summer it seems like there are many weeks to enjoy one another, however, my experience is that it seems like a blink and then my precious ones are back in school.

My children are still fairly young (6 and 8) and to instill in them the love of reading I provide every possible incentive available.  We had great fun last summer doing our Library Summer Reading Program and also participated in Barnes and Noble and Borders.  Click here for a list of programs available.  They are free to join and you can print the form at home.  What a sense of accomplishment to go to the store with a completed sheet of the books read and be able to select a FREE book to add to your own personal library.  Also, create awards for reading a set amount of minutes per week and permit your child to select from the award options.  Make it fun such as frozen yogurt date out, make your own sundae night at home or even staying up an extra 30 minutes.  The key is to make reading fun and provide incentives that will motivate the personality of your individual child.

Our school participates in AR Reading (Accelerated Reader).  If you are a homeschooling family or your school does not use AR the website can still be a great resource.  Click here to go the website and select parent.  You don't have to register or provide any personal information to research books at the desired reading level.  I then make a list of what appeals to my children and is in their reading range and via my online library account  request the books.  I put a post it in the inside cover of each book with the reading level and place in a book basket.  This secures my boys are reading books that keep them challenged, however, are also at their personal ability level.  I purchased the baskets on sale at my local Hobby Lobby and placed a tag with their name on each one, thus, giving them a sense of ownership.  The books stay in the basket when not being read which also aids in getting them returned to the library on time.

Happy reading sweet sisters!  Stay turned because this summer I will also be sharing my personal recommendations for great reading for the lady of the house.

TV.  If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six.  Open your child's imagination.  Open a book.  ~Author Unknown