Children should continue to read in summer

To the editor: With thoughts of summer vacation fast approaching, there is a strategy for counteracting the dreaded “summer slide” that occurs in your child’s learning over summer vacation — continue enjoying books! According to Jimmy Kim, in Summer Reading and the Ethnic Achievement Gap, “Regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic level, or previous achievement, children who read four or more books over the summer fare better on reading-comprehension tests in the fall than their peers who read one or no books over the summer.” Your local library can help your child retain and even increase reading skills over the summer by having him/her participate in the free Summer Reading Program. It doesn’t take a big commitment on your part other than the time you spend reading with your child. Just because your child can’t read yet doesn’t mean he or she is too young to join the program. It is designed not only for children who read independently, but also for children who have books read to them by parents, grandparents, siblings, babysitters and others. Audio books are also included, so check some out to take along when traveling to your vacation destinations. The reading portion of the Summer Reading Program begins Monday, June 2. Stop downstairs in the Children’s Department to receive a reading log, complete the 12 ½ hours of reading, and return it by Saturday, Aug. 30. Each completer receives incentive rewards of a new free book of his/her choice, prizes donated by area businesses, a voucher to a Green Bay Bullfrogs game, and will have his/her name entered in the grand prize drawings at the end of the summer. In addition, there will be plenty of fun events and activities at the library, including weekly guessing jar contests, special performers, craft days and a Scholastic Book Fair in August. Bookmarks with all programming information are available at the library circulation desks. Questions may be directed to the Children’s Department, 715-526-3829, ext. 125, or visit our website at www.shawanolibrary.org. We are looking forward to seeing you soon at your Shawano City-County Library. Julie Dassler, Children’s Department supervisor, Shawano City-County Library