Summer is right around the corner, which means that Summer Reading programs for all ages will soon be at the Fort Smith Public Library!  Who does not have fond childhood memories of participating in summer reading at their library? While a lot of participants might focus on the prizes offered for reading books over the summer, summer reading offers a multitude of benefits that you might not even think about.  Read on to learn why your whole family should participate in the “Color Our World” Summer Reading program beginning June 1 at the library this year.

• Help your children avoid “summer learning loss.”  A well-documented decline in academic skills, sometimes called the “summer slide” can occur over break when children don’t engage in educational activities. Research shows that students can lose up to two months of their reading progress over summer vacation.  Library summer reading programs help to keep kids learning and engaged during the summer months, and they get to choose what they read! 

   

• Summer reading enhances reading skills by strengthening core reading areas including phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.  It also encourages the development of language skills and increases motivation to learn new things. In addition, reading improves cognitive development, strengthens memory, and boosts overall academic performance. 

   

• Reading over the summer can also help students develop their social and emotional intelligence. Exploring books of all kinds exposes children to diverse perspectives and experiences, promoting empathy and understanding of others. Summer reading also helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills which are important in all aspects of life.

   

• Building a reading habit is one of the most important benefits of summer reading.  Establishing a habit of reading regularly can have a positive impact on students' academic and personal lives. Summer reading programs foster a love of reading, making reading more enjoyable and less like a chore, encouraging students to read for pleasure. This can lead to a greater interest in learning and a lifelong love of reading.

   

• Don't forget to sign the whole family up for the Summer Reading Program.  Children and teenagers often look to the adults in their lives as role models when it comes to reading.  Reading together as a family can build strong family bonds, nurture a love of reading, and support cognitive and emotional development in children and teenagers.  Reading as a family also provides opportunities for parents and guardians to connect with their children.

   

Who knew that something so fun could offer so many benefits?  Summer reading for children, teens, and adults begins at the FSPL June 1! For more information, visit www.fortsmithlibrary.org, or stop by your neighborhood library.