Reading is the foundation for education in every subject, so it is essential for children to become effective readers.  When a child is struggling to read, performance in all subjects suffer.  In other words, if a child is not learning to read, she is not reading to learn.

National studies have demonstrated that 5%of kids begin to read effortlessly and 20% – 30% of children learn to read comparatively easily once exposed to established instruction.  That leaves about 70% of our children who face a bigger challenge and need at least some special help.

Summer is an excellent opportunity for parents and caregivers to provide their children the assistance they require to be excellent lifetime readers and learners.  Children who are tightly scheduled or struggling to complete home work during the school year usually have more free time during the summer.  They can concentrate on first improving weaker areas without trying to keep up with classroom grade-level work simultaneously.

Also, reading programs can beat summer  “brain drain”, the loss of skills learned during the previous school year.  Even established readers can lose up to 2 ½ months of what they learned in school.  A great summer reading program supports and enhances healthy reading habits and provides a challenge over the long school break.

Additionally, for the child who is already an accomplished reader, an excellent summer reading program stops summer “brain drain”, supports and enhances healthy reading habits and provides a challenge over the long school break.

But not all summer reading programs are created equal.  What makes a great summer reading program?  

1.  Personalized Programs   
Great summer programs are tailor-made instruction to meet a child’s needs.  The process should start with a diagnostic testing to identify any gaps or deficiencies of existent cognition.  An individualized instructional program aligned with national and state standards should be developed for each child.

2. Comprehensive Curriculum
The curriculum should cover phonics, sight words, vocabulary, and reading comprehension and include a large variety of tutorials and activities.  Instruction should be intentional to develop literacy, meet standards and improve test scores, and reading pleasure.

3. Expert Teachers
Tutors should be academically qualified (holding an appropriate degree) and passionate about helping children learn.  They should be knowledgeable about the local school district’s curriculum so they can strengthen any weak areas and build on the local curriculum.  

4. Enjoyable  
The content should be provided in an engaging, interactive, and high impact learning environment designed for today’s learners.  Kids absorb the information better when they enjoy the process.

5. Reports  
A great  reading program over the summer will include reports not only for the purpose of documentation, but to track progress, student mastery, and grade level improvement.  These reports allow parents to monitor progress and should lead to item 6 below.

6. Accomplishments  
The real proof of any summer reading program is in the results delivered.
A truly great reading program will deliver increased achievement, motivation, test scores, and self confidence.    

A great summer reading program will build the skills, habits and attitudes your child needs for a solid academic foundation and a lifetime of success.  Choose wisely and you’ll collect the rewards for many years into the future.