Don’t let kids’ reading skills slide over summer

It isn’t hard to understand that if something isn’t used over a period of time, whether we’re talking muscles, skills or talents, then it isn’t developed and can even atrophy.

There’s more than a 100 years of research to confirm the problem of the “summer slide” for children, the loss of learning skills over the course of summer vacations.

Most kids, according to a review of research published by Johns Hopkins School of Education, lose about two months of what they learned in math skills during the previous year, and low-income youths can lose more than two months of reading achievement, even as their middle-class peers make slight gains. Over a course of a child’s elementary education, the report said, those losses can affect that child’s likelihood to earn a high school diploma and move on to college and career.

Which is why it’s so important for children to participate in the various summer reading programs and other opportunities for summer learning available throughout Snohomish County.

And it’s also why it’s so appreciated that Sno-Isle Libraries and the Everett Public Library, local school districts and others offer imaginative and engaging summer reading programs.

Playing off the young adult “Hunger Games” books, Sno-Isle’s Arlington Library staged the “Hungry Games” last week, competitions and activities across the street from the library that encourage kids to read, learn about their library and feed their minds, as The Herald’s Kari Bray reported Tuesday.

Imagination being a great way to engage kids, the “Hungry Games” challenged kids in messy but tasty games of “Face the Cookie” and banana jousting. And the kids played played the part: “For war. For glory. For bananas,” shouted Lucas Gibson, 12, a student at Post Middle School.

Inspired and fed, the kids were then encouraged to sign up for the library’s summer reading program, which offers prizes based on the number of hours they read.

Individual libraries in the Sno-Isle system offer similar reading programs and activities, as do Everett Public Library and the Everett School District. Sign up for both and reading hours count for both, meaning twice the prizes.

Parent and Child magazine recommends encouraging kids to read at least six books over the summer to avoid losing reading skills. You can help kids choose books that are at their reading level and that match their interests.

The magazine also encourages parents to look for opportunities to read throughout the day, and not just books. Encourage kids to read the newspaper — a practice we endorse — but also magazines, online resources and even schedules, a skill that’s important for kids are they begin to learn how to use public transit and plan activities, such as going to pools, movies and library and museum programs.

Parents, too, can continue to read to their kids and have their kids read to them. Reading to a child allows parents to discuss the book and define vocabulary. While kids reading to parents allows the kids to practice pronunciation and develop an appreciation for the rhythms of writing. And who doesn’t benefit, parent and child alike, from sitting together closely and sharing a quiet moment.

It’s not necessary here to talk about “screen time,” kids — and parents — gluing their attention to phones, video games and the TV. You’ve heard enough dire warnings about that.

Instead, let’s encourage reading and other learning opportunities this summer.

The only slide that kids should experience this summer is on the playground.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

RGB version
Editorial cartoons for Monday, March 18

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Carson gets a chance to sound the horn in an Everett Fire Department engine with the help of captain Jason Brock during a surprise Make-A-Wish sendoff Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Thornton A. Sullivan Park in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Everett voters will set course for city finances

This fall and in coming years, they will be asked how to fund and support the services they use.

Devotees of TikTok, Mona Swain, center, and her sister, Rachel Swain, right, both of Atlanta, monitor voting at the Capitol in Washington, as the House passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app if its China-based owner doesn't sell, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Lawmakers contend the app's owner, ByteDance, is beholden to the Chinese government, which could demand access to the data of TikTok's consumers in the U.S. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Editorial: Forced sale of TikTok ignores network of problems

The removal of a Chinese company would still leave concerns for data privacy and the content on apps.

Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, watches the State of the State speech by Gov. Jay Inslee on the second day of the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Editorial: Legislature has its own production of ‘The Holdovers’

What state lawmakers left behind in good ideas that should get more attention and passage next year.

Comment: Measles outbreaks show importance of MMR vaccinations

The highly contagious disease requires a 95 percent vaccination rate to limit the spread of outbreaks.

Harrop: Should ‘affordable’ come at cost of quality of living?

As states push their cities to ignore zoning rules, the YIMBYs are covering for developers.

Saunders: Classified document cases show degrees of guilt

President Biden’s age might protect him, but the special prosecutor didn’t exonerate him either.

Comment: Clearing the internet of misinformation, deep fakes

With social networks’ spotty moderation record, users need to identify and call out problems they see.

Eco-Nomics: Price of gas, fossil fuels higher than you think

Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels force unseen costs in climate disasters, illness and more.

Vote against I-2117 to keep best tool to protect climate

We voters will be offered the opportunity to repeal Washington state’s Climate… Continue reading

Lack of maternal health care raises risks of deadly sepsis

In today’s contentious climate, we often hear political debates about maternal health… Continue reading

Trump’s stance on abortion isn’t moderate; it’s dangerous

Voters deserve to know the facts and the truth about what will… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.