Children should read regularly throughout the summer so that they can come to school in the fall ready to learn.

Here are some ways to promote reading this summer:

• Sign up your child up for a library summer reading program.

• Take advantage of longer daylight hours and read your child’s bedtime story outside.

• Try some twists on your regular read-aloud program. Read only a portion of a story to your child. Stop before revealing the plot. Then have your child predict the outcome and read the remainder of the book.

• Set aside part of each day as “drop everything and read” time. They'll be practicing their reading, and you’ll be able to have some quiet time.

• Plan a book swap party. Ask your child to invite four or five friends to your house. Admission: two used books that they enjoyed reading. Kids can swap their opinions about favorite books and then trade the books.

• Play word games when you’re riding in the car. Who can think of a word that rhymes with beauty? How many other words can you think of that start with the same sound as banana?

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