Summer Reading at the Keene Public Library

At each stage of your child's life, reading performs many different roles. Reading board books for infants and toddlers, pointing out colors, letting them feel different textures, all create neural pathways and stimulate learning and development. Everything is a learning opportunity. That same idea carries on into elementary, middle, and high school (and yes, even into adulthood). Reading will always provides the reader a chance to learn something new or see the world in a new light and experience new things. Books allow children to see themselves reflected in the pages, peek into the lives of others, or experience something they may have never even considered before. Reading will help your child develop empathy and compassion, along with language and literacy skills. For most of us learning to read is hard work and requires practice. The value of reading is well documented, as is what happens when we stop practicing. The "Summer Slide" is the loss of certain gains and achievements made during the school year that may be lost over the summer while school is out of session. Even just being aware that this happens can help set your child up for greater success in preventing the summer slide and maintaining literacy skills while on summer break. Knowing the academic challenges that come with summer break means you can get ahead of the slide and continue the learning process at home. One of the best ways to prevent summer slide is by participating in summer reading programs provided by your local public libraries. Libraries provide fun opportunities to practice reading and math and to engage with others who are doing the same. Developing a love of reading has been shown to set your child up to be a life-long learner, with the skills to become problem solvers, boosting their confidence and self-esteem, fostering creativity, and encouraging critical thinking. Making reading fun at an early age is the best way to foster a love of reading for life. While not everyone may have time over the busy summer months to devote to sitting down and reading each day, there are so many ways to make reading more accessible, that all have added benefits for literacy skills and development. Audiobooks accessed through the Libby app and Playaways (pre-loaded audiobook devices) allow families on the go to listen to books on drives, on walks, or around the house. While these are convenient options, they are also great ways to improve vocabulary and pronunciation, as well as build reading comprehension, enhancing listening skills, while allowing for multitasking. VOX Books and Wonderbooks will allow children more freedom to read on their own, while the audio aspect will help with reading comprehension, vocabulary and pronunciation. These styles of books will give your child a sense of greater independence, as opposed to needing help with words, or having someone else read to them. Graphic novels are another option that have proven benefits for students, especially for those reluctant readers. Thanks to their comic book style, graphic novels are more engaging for students, while helping with literacy skills and increased empathy, as readers need to match emotions and expressions. Graphic novels will foster greater visual literacy and analytical skills presented by the combination of drawing and text, that require their brain to connect the images and words, while reading in sequence for comprehension. Graphic novels help kids who may not love traditional reading, seeing it as a fun alternative. Letting children have the freedom to choose their own book, one that interests them, grabs their attention, and is actually fun for them, means they will want to continue reading, instead of seeing it as a task they must complete when a book may be specifically assigned or required. While we all understand that required reading will be a part of a students' life, summer reading should break the mold for a while, and be a freer, fun approach to reading. There are so many great books available, that it is just doesn't seem worth it to spend your time, or your child's time, reading things you don't enjoy. Everyone has a different reading taste, and this summer can be a great time to explore some new favorites of genre and styles, or even trying new formats. If you need help finding a book of interest, ask your local librarian for assistance. As librarians we know all about books! If you haven't tried an Audiobook yet, this can be your chance! If your child sees you engaging with books, in all their forms and styles, they will be encouraged to follow in your footsteps. The Keene Public Library Summer Reading Program runs from Saturday, June 22, to Friday, Aug. 9. Stop in to sign-up or download the Beanstack App to start recording your reading. Throughout the summer, KPL will offer special programs and events, including magicians, puppet pals and a visit with owls. To celebrate the success of our readers, we will hold an End of Summer Reading party, with special guest Ribby the Swamp Bat! Find out all the details by going to www.KeenePublicLibrary.org or by calling the library at 352-0157.The bottom line for summer reading, for kids and their grown-ups ... it doesn't matter so much what you read, so long as you read! See you at the library!