Rewards - obvious and otherwise

I have five children ranging from college age to preschooler.  Summer activities vary greatly for each child.  There is one constant that we have done since my first child was a toddler.  At the end of the school year, I seek out all of the summer reading programs and enroll every eligible family member.  The first stop is the library.  The library has the only program that includes the entire family, even mom and dad.  One tiny form is filled for each family member and everyone takes home a "log" to keep track of their reading.  Adults and teens track the number of books they read while younger children track the number of hours they read or have books read to them.  You may think that you spent an hour reading "Go, Dog Go" over and over again, but when you start keeping track, you realize it was hardly any time at all.  It makes "one more time" much easier.

After the library, check with the bookstores in your community.  This year, we have a summer reading program at Barnes & Noble, but it is only for 1st thru 6th grade students.  Our local baseball team has a summer reading program as well, but I usually opt out of this one.  My children are not really interested in the free tickets to sporting events and I think my youngest is allergic to sitting still for long periods of time.

The summer reading programs offer "prizes" for participation in the form of coupons for free ice cream or a game of miniature golf at local businesses as well as free books.  It is much easier to remind the children they need to work on their summer reading "clubs"  to earn rewards than just the mom nag, "Have you read today?"  I know that the real reward from reading is the increased vocabulary, improved spelling skills and sparks that ignite their imagination.  It's also a good excuse to trade a bag of books everyone has already read for a fresh bag of "new-to-us" books.  I love the excitement of an unread book waiting to whisk you away on an unfamiliar and exciting new adventure.  It's even more exciting to watch my children reading.

Comments

[Katrina @ Callapidder Days]

This really is a great idea. We've participated in reading programs through both Barnes & Noble and our local library, and thoroughly enjoyed them.

[bananas]

I *heart* our library. It's the best thing since sliced bread!

[Melanie (Modern Mami)]

This is a great idea! A great way to continue education over the summer months.

[Lynnie]

Libraries totally rock! Ours gives you a free t-shirt if you complete their summer reading program. We have a t-shirt for each of the past 5 years!