“It’s summer vacation! Do I have to read?”

by Lynn K. McMullin


The answer is an unqualified "YES!"

Summer Reading as part of the daily routine is the best antidote for what is called the ‘summer slide’ in children’s reading achievement. A set schedule for reading, as well as access to books and to library programs which promote reading, result in more reading.  More reading in turn results in improved reading skills and wards off the predictable slide in skills that comes from two summer months without reading 'exercise.'

In a meta-ananlysis study of 39 other reading research projects, the University of Missouri found that most students lose an average of one month of school learning over summer vacation.  Some students lose up to three months of learning in that same time period. 

A research report titled, "Lost Summers: For Some Children, Few Books and Few Opportunities to Read," created by The Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University showed that for elementary school children who do not read during the summer, “Reading skill loss during the three summer months accumulates to become a learning gap of 18 months by the end of sixth grade.  By the end of middle school, summer reading loss produces a cumulative lag of two or more years in reading achievement even when effective reading instruction is present during the year.”

Furthermore, the research shows that the more a student struggles the more he or she stands to lose over the summer.  Reading works in a sort of "rich-get-richer, poor-get-poorer" pattern of development.   Both successful aqnd unsuccessful early reading experiences have cascading effects that can benefit or deter students success in other areas.  The same study also found that an increased volume of reading was an important factor in building language and vocabulary skills.

Another study revealed that children who engage in leisure reading of a variety of books have more 'background' knowledge.  Developing extensive background information is a key success factor in making difficult texts easier to read and understand in future years. Children who enjoy reading will read more and become proficient at the same time.  A report from the National Institute of Education concluded that, “… the amount of reading done out of school is consistently related to gains in reading achievement.”


OK, so I don't want to "research study" you to death!  We, of course, find all of this fascinating, but I know that not the general case. So, to skip to the bottom line:

Summer Reading Matters!  And, parents can help their children avoid the 'slide.'  Help us help your student by making reading part of the summer routine, free from television and distractions.  Bring books to the beach or pool... or, to the doctor's waiting room.

P.S. Just, one more study:  Educational researchers from the University of Florida found that children who read as few as six books over the summer break can maintain their reading skills at the level they achieved in the preceding school year.  It's not that difficult!

CLICK HERE for Reading Resources.

See you here in September!  All new topics!