Throughout the summer you will see various lists about what to do with your kids this summer. Out of all of the fun things you can do you need to make it a priority to read to or with your kids over the summer. Summer reading is important for kids to stay sharp while they are out of school. Summer reading helps a child learn to read for pleasure instead of just for homework.

Summer reading is also a great time for parents and kids to connect when the schedule is not (quite) as busy. If your child is an emerging reader then continue to read them and have them begin to read to you. If your child is an established reader then they still benefit from having you read to them but they also need to read out loud to you.

If your child is an older reader, you can still read to them. They like it. For older readers you can also pick up the same book they are reading and keep up with them in order to discuss books chapter by chapter. Fathers play a big part in reading and summer is a great time to do more reading or perhaps a time to begin.

Here is a great article about how fathers play an important role in reading and a list of some great resources for fathers.

Dads and Reading

J. Michael Hall, M.Ed. is the Founder and President of Strong Fathers-Strong Families, LLC. He has facilitated father-child events in schools and Head Starts for over 75,000 fathers, trained thousands of professionals in education and child care and has written numerous magazine articles and book chapters. He is the father to two teenage boys and husband to a beautiful middle school teacher.

J. Michael Hall, M.Ed.

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