Myth busted! Contrary to popular belief, a majority of kids enjoy summer reading.
The Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™: 6th Edition shows that 62% of kids ages 6–17 agree that, "I really enjoy reading over the summer," and the top reasons why are: "I just enjoy reading" and "it's a fun way to pass the time."
Even though a majority kids enjoy reading during the summer, we also learned many kids need support when reading for fun during summer vacation. Research shows one in five 12-17 year-olds and one in five kids in lower-income families do not read any books at all over the summer.
So what can we do to ensure all children discover the power and joy of reading for fun over the summmer?
In a recent press release about the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge, Michael Haggen, Chief Academic Officer, Scholastic Education discusses the importance of turning the "summer slide" into the "summer leap" with access to great books through full community engagement:
"...Too many kids read no books at all during the summer, putting themselves at risk to experience significant learning loss while school is not in session. We also know that the encouragement of parents and educators is key to motivating students to read all summer. Through [summer reading programs such as] the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge, schools, families and students find the resources they need to help turn the “summer slide” into the “summer leap.”
According to the Kids & Family Reading Report, nearly half of all parents with children ages 6–17 (48%) have heard of the “summer slide,” and lower-income parents are far less likely to have heard of this phenomenon (38%). Parents say teachers and schools are the number one source of information on the "summer slide." Families, be sure to ask your child's teacher about the "summer slide" and book ideas before summer break. Remember, look to local communty events, such as our Scholastic Summer Reading Road Trip (a mobile book festival to celebrate summer reading: http://summerroadtrip.scholastic), at the closet public library or community center to gain access to free summer reading activities that promote literacy.
To learn more about the state of kids and summer reading in the U.S., visit scholastic.com/readingreport on the latest findings from our nationally representative survey of parents and kids.
Happy #SummerReading!
Scholastic
