Fight Summer Slide with Reading Programs for Kids
Finally, the school year is over, and summer break has started. Are your kids looking for something to do? Why not encourage them to read?
Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library is hosting a summer reading program with interactive events, reading challenges, and prizes for all ages.
Why is reading over summer break important?
Children's school-year gains in reading and math may decrease by 20 to 50% during the summer months, according to the Northwest Evaluation Association. Reading over the summer break can help a child's critical thinking skills and ability to retain information. It can also encourage a lifelong interest in reading for pleasure. Because children learn by example, it may be beneficial for parents and caregivers to also develop reading habits.
Reading together is also a great way to bond with kids while supporting their cognitive development. Have your kids read out loud to you or read to them. Doing so helps children develop listening and communication skills.
Make this summer a time to read, learn, and imagine! Sign up your kids and yourself for one or both reading programs below. Let the summer reading adventures begin!
Reading Challenge
Book lovers of all ages can log reading and activities to unlock digital badges and fun prizes. Prizes include Apple Air Pods, Nintendo Switch Lites, Kindle Fires, and tickets to ZooTampa at Lowry Park.
The registration portal, Beanstack, includes themed-reading suggestions for kids, tweens, teens, and adults. Users can also download the Beanstack mobile app and log progress on the go.
Reading with the Rays
Participants can pick up a Reading with the Rays game card at their preferred Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library branch to be eligible for prizes. Youth may keep track of their hours read in Beanstack and on the Rays card. Once the game card is completed, readers can turn it in to their local public library for a chance to win Tampa Bay Rays prizes, including tickets to a home game. Almost 2,500 Hillsborough County households earned Rays tickets last summer.
The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library offers the Summer Reading program in partnership with ZooTampa at Lowry Park, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Children's Library Foundation, Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County Inc., and Hillsborough County Government.
Visit the Hillsborough County Public Library website for more information about all the resources available to residents, free of charge.