The start of the summer term marks an exciting time for children as they transition into a new phase of learning. With longer days, warmer weather, and fresh opportunities for exploration, this is a perfect time to reinforce strong reading habits. Encouraging children to maintain and boost their reading skills during this period not only supports their academic progress but also fosters a lifelong love for books.

By establishing engaging reading routines, integrating books into everyday activities, and taking advantage of the changing season, parents can help children make the most of the summer term. Here’s how to kickstart the new term with a reading boost!

Establishing a New Reading Routine

With the start of a new school term, it’s a great opportunity to set up or refine a reading routine that fits into your child’s schedule. Consistency is key in maintaining and improving literacy skills.

  • Set a Regular Reading Time: Whether it’s 15 minutes before school, a dedicated afternoon reading session, or a bedtime story, having a designated reading time helps build habits.
  • Encourage Goal Setting: Involve children in setting their own reading goals, such as finishing a certain number of books each month, exploring a new genre, or improving reading fluency.
  • Use a Reading Chart: Create a simple progress tracker with stickers or stars to celebrate completed books, motivating children to keep reading.
  • Read Aloud Together: Even as children become independent readers, reading aloud together strengthens comprehension skills and creates meaningful bonding moments.

For more advice on developing reading habits, check out our Helping Children Learn to Read guide.

Creative Ways to Encourage Reading

Make Reading Interactive

Children learn best when they’re engaged, so try incorporating fun and interactive elements into their reading routine:

  • Storytelling Games: Have children act out scenes from a book, create puppets to tell the story, or rewrite endings to add their own creative twist.
  • Outdoor Reading Sessions: Take books outside and read in the garden, park, or during a picnic to enjoy the fresh air while fostering a love for nature.
  • Seasonal Themes: Pick books that reflect spring and early summer themes, such as nature, adventures, wildlife, or beach stories to match the mood of the season.
  • Book-Based Role Play: Encourage children to dress up as their favorite book characters and act out scenes from their favorite stories.

Encourage Choice and Variety

Giving children the freedom to choose their books increases motivation. Consider providing a mix of:

  • Fiction and non-fiction to encourage diverse learning.
  • Poetry and short stories for quick, enjoyable reads.
  • Books on topics they are passionate about, such as space, animals, adventure stories, or nature conservation.
  • Phonics-based books for early readers to reinforce foundational skills.

Need help selecting books? Visit our Tips on Choosing Books page.

Integrating Reading with Other Learning Activities

Books can complement school subjects and everyday learning in exciting ways:

Link Reading to Science and Nature

  • Read books about plants, animals, or the weather, then explore nature to find real-life examples.
  • Encourage children to keep a nature journal and write about what they observe.
  • Experiment with simple science projects inspired by books, such as planting seeds and documenting their growth.

Connect Reading to History and Creativity

  • Find historical fiction books that align with topics they are learning in school, helping them see history in an engaging way.
  • Encourage craft projects inspired by books, such as building a model of a story setting or drawing their favorite scene.
  • Listen to audiobooks related to historical events and discuss key takeaways as a family.

Use Books to Encourage Writing

  • Have children keep a reading journal where they can write about their favorite books, characters, and lessons learned.
  • Encourage creative writing by asking them to write an alternative ending to a book they recently read.
  • Introduce storytelling prompts based on books and let them craft their own short stories.

The Role of Reading Chest in Supporting Parents

Maintaining a steady stream of engaging books can be challenging, especially as children progress in their reading. Reading Chest makes this easier by delivering carefully selected books straight to your home.

  • Book Bands: Ensure children read at the right level for continuous progress.
  • Flexible Book Swapping: New books arrive regularly, keeping reading fresh and exciting.
  • Encourages independent reading and helps parents support their child’s journey.

For more insight on how our book subscription service works, visit our About Reading Chest page.

Conclusion

Integrating reading into the summer term routine helps children stay engaged, improve their literacy skills, and enjoy books in new and exciting ways. By setting reading goals, incorporating fun activities, and using reading to complement school subjects, parents can help their children develop a love for learning.

Looking for an easy way to keep your child excited about reading? Learn more about Reading Chest and discover how our book subscription can support your child’s progress.

Join the Conversation!

We’d love to hear how your family is incorporating reading into the summer term! Share your ideas and reading moments with us on Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram. Let’s celebrate the joy of reading together!