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A: While no one would refute the benefits of “time off” for children, the research is very clear that children who read during the summer do better in school; those who do not read suffer academically. A recent study by the Los Angeles Public Libraries concluded that summer reading is linked with academic success. Looking at the 2000 and 2001 summer reading programs in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, researchers found significant differences between participants in summer reading programs and nonparticipants. “Students participating in a summer reading program are more likely to read at their grade level or above than their nonparticipating peers, and those reading above grade level are more likely to retain those skills into the next school year,” according to the Evaluation and Training Institute which analyzed study data. Teachers interviewed for the study said that one-third of summer reading participants were more likely to read above grade level, compared to about 18 percent of nonparticipants. The teachers, who reported on more than 900 participating and nonparticipating students, say the long-term effects of the program are evident: in surveying second graders, 31 percent of participating students read above grade level, compared to 29 percent of nonparticipating peers. When those students entered the third grade, however, the same percentage of participating students continued to read above grade level, but the number of nonparticipating students reading above grade level dropped to 24 percent. Bonnie McCune a public relations consultant to the Colorado State Library, echoes the point that “summer reading makes a difference in student achievement,” noting these points:
The Center for Learning has come up with its own list of benefits of summer reading programs (Spring 2000):
There cannot be any doubt that it is important that children read over the summer months. Q: Are books the only reading matter that “counts?” A: While many teachers and parents prefer that children read books, the purpose of summer reading programs is to hook children on reading. Therefore, anything that contributes towards reading will help a child refine his readings skills. Magazines, newspapers, and even comic books should all count as “reading.” Q: Should incentives be a part of reading programs? A: Many educators are concerned that rewarding children to read makes them read for the reward, and that reading never becomes its own reward. Yet, according to Ellen Loughran of the Brooklyn Public Library, “Philosophy notwithstanding, it is very rare for a summer reading program in a public library not to include some incentives.” For example, the 2002 Summer Reading Program at the New Orleans Public Library offered participants who read 8 books or 800 pages attendance at a party in their honor, free New Orleans Zephyr tickets, a certificate of merit, a personal pan pizza, and a chance to win other prizes. It may surprise you to know, though, that the use of rewards can actually motivate young readers. Current research by Linda Gambrell and others has shown that extrinsic motivation can indeed be used to bring about intrinsic motivation to read. In their 1997 article Incentive and Intrinsic Motivation to Read, Gambrell and Marinak write: "The appropriate use of incentives can lead learners to engage in reading and can lead to the internalization and integration of the value of reading. When incentives are linked to the desired behavior and promote engagement in the desired behavior, motivation can become self-determined and can foster high-quality learning. Further, appropriate incentives offered for goal-oriented, challenging reading performance can enhance intrinsic motivation to read." Q: My child just loves to use the Internet. Is there any way that I can make use of this interest to get her to start reading books? A: Yes, there most certainly is. A good place to start is with RIF’s “Summertime Reading Adventures.” A part of RIF Reading Planet’s interactive Web site, Summertime Reading Adventures offers suggested activities for children and families that can be done both indoors and outdoors to develop reading skills. Children can search booklists, rate a book, and read and write reviews. In addition, they can illustrate texts and write and illustrate their own books. There are also a growing number of other Internet sites that facilitate summer reading, including the following:
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