Getting Over the Mid-Summer Slump and Back Into Summer Reading!

I am a long-time reader and follower of time management and productivity writer, Laura Vanderkam. A couple of weeks ago, she was on the Today Show to talk about the mid-summer slump, which is the time when summer sets in and productivity may go down. She offered suggestions for getting over this slump to make the most of the time in the summer. It makes sense, during mid-to-the-end of July is when the summer schedule has set in and summer mode is in full force!

I was thinking about the mid-summer slump in relation to summer reading. If your kids started off the summer reading regularly, but now that may not be reading so regularly, it’s ok and completely normal. In the summer, we get on a summer schedule which may include camp, vacations, swimming in the pool, and seeing friends – which is great! But, if you are looking to read with your kids before the new school year rolls around, here are some ideas:

  • Plan to read 2-3 times a week with your child. Doing something daily can be challenging and the pressure of daily reading might be too much right now, so look at your schedule realistically, and plan 2 or 3 days when you can read with your child.

  • Set realistic amounts of time to read with your child. If you can only read for ten minutes or read one chapter, that’s fine. Something is better than nothing. I try not to put too much pressure on myself (or my kids) in the summer because I want reading to be fun rather than a chore. When I don’t have much time, I remind myself that 10 minutes or one chapter is better than nothing!

  • Pick books that your child wants to read! Reading in the summer should be fun for you and your child, so pick books that your child is excited and interested in reading. My older daughter has a friend who really wants to read Raina Telgemeier’s books Smile, Sisters, and Guts, so she and her mom are reading those books this summer. It’s a series she wants to read and now she and her mom can read them together!

  • Try to talk to your child about what you just read. One question or comment is enough – this does not need to be lengthy. Right now, I’m reading The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes with my older daughter. I will often share what I think with her about what is happening. Sometimes she continues and adds her thoughts or what surprised her, but other times, my comment is enough.

  • Have fun! Reading with your child is time together during the summer. Enjoy this time together!

What books are you reading with your kids over the summer? As I mentioned, I’m reading The Year of Billy Miller with my older daughter and The Adventures of Sophie Mouse book series by Poppy Green with my younger daughter.  

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LTL Podcast Episode #20: Supporting Readers During the Summer Months: Spotlight on the Power of Picture Books

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LTL Podcast Episode: The Importance of Following the Conversation: Talking Books and Writing with Author Matt de la Peña