How Your Babysitter Can Encourage Your Child's Summer Reading

Reading is an important way to help your child develop into a successful adult. It teaches crucial skills such as critical thinking and helps kids learn about different perspectives. However, in a world of screens and games, it can be difficult to get kids to be excited about reading, especially over the summer when kids just want to have fun. This task is challenging when you are doing it alone, but you can recruit your babysitter to encourage your child to read this summer.

Go to the library

Libraries are a great way to get books for your kids to read. You and your babysitter can get books at the bookstore, but they can be expensive and your child will not be able to get every book they may want. However, libraries allow you, your babysitter, and your children to check out books for free. You have to return them, but this forces your kids to read the books before they have to be returned. Returning the books also cuts down on clutter. Just be sure to sign your kids up for a card before your babysitter takes them. Check to see if your library has story times for your kids to attend. These events often include a librarian reading books aloud to a group and other activities. This can be a different way to get your kids interested. Many libraries even host reading challenges to incentivize your child’s reading. Sign your child up and have your babysitter keep them accountable.

Reading playdate

You may allow playdates that your babysitter supervises. If so, have each kid that comes over bring their favorite book and have your babysitter read the books aloud to the kids. The babysitter can use different voices for the different characters to help keep the kids engaged. Depending on how many kids come, your child will be introduced to several books they may have never read before. This will introduce them to new books in a fun way and give their favorites new life.

Babysitter’s favorites

Your babysitter likely had a favorite book growing up that they remember fondly. Sharing these books with your child can help bring a personal touch to the books and encourage your child to find their favorite book to share with kids in the future. Have your babysitter share why the book is so special to them as this will help your child connect with the book and your babysitter. Your babysitter will love sharing the memories of their childhood and this will give your child a fun memory as well.

Book to movie

Several books have become TV shows or movies. It may be tempting for your kids to watch the show or movie without reading the book first. To help inspire your child’s reading, have your babysitter only show the movie if your child has read the book. Have your babysitter ask your child questions about how the show or movie compared to the book and talk about how they would have made the movie or show differently. This will motivate your child to actively read the book to see how it compares to the show or movie and it will inspire them to read more since they will be able to watch the show or movie as a reward.

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Scheduled reading time

While forcing your child to read may discourage their love of reading, having your babysitter have a scheduled time to read can give them structure and routine. This allows them to set aside time for them to read so they are not distracted by other things they could want to do. You may even want to encourage your babysitter to bring a book to read while your child reads to help set an example. Having a set time will help instill a routine of reading in the future as they will have to carve out time, even on busy days. Getting them in the habit of carving out reading time will help them build a habit of lifelong reading in the future.

Summer activities

Use summer reading to help boost other activities your babysitter will do with your child. For example, schedule a zoo day for Friday and have your child read books about zoo animals the week leading up to the zoo. This will generate interest in reading and will give them something to work for. You can even have your child integrate reading into their activities while doing the activity. For example, while at the zoo, have your babysitter ask your child to read the maps and signs about each animal. Reading is everywhere, not just in books. Hopefully, seeing how reading is everywhere will encourage your child to want to read more books and other material.

Reading is a crucial life skill for your kids to learn, especially over the summer when learning loss is so prevalent. Have your babysitter encourage your child’s summer reading and integrate it into their everyday day to help build a life-long habit.