Summer Reading Library Program

Last week, I signed Kaitlyn, my three year old, up for the Lake County Public Library Summer Reading Program.  For every 10 books I read to her or she listens to, she gets to pick a prize.  Most of the prizes are what I call little trinket toys, but some of the choices are for a free kids meal at a local restaurant or free ice cream.  She has been very excited about getting her prize and we have gone about three times a week so far. 

While the little toys are soon forgotten and the ice cream is quickly gone, the benefits from being in the reading contest are much more lasting. Let me share a few of them with you.

1.  It is just another way to make reading fun.  While she was already enjoying reading library books and hearing a good story, she has been even more excited about it the past couple weeks.  It is exciting to accomplish a goal, pick a prize, and enjoy it however long it may last!  The purpose of picking a prize is not so she can get some little trinket toy or enjoy ice cream that we probably would have bought her anyways! It's too give reading another reason to be something she enjoys doing.  Now, of course, she will not get a prize for the rest of her life every time she reads 10 books! Wouldn't that be nice?!  She will, however, walk away from this summer with a greater love for reading and books.  Why? Because a library took the time to put together a reading program to entice kids to read more!

2.  She is being introduced to more types of books.  Reading 10 books a day causes you to read all kinds of good books.  Usually, you go to the library about once a week and read the same few books over and over until you have them memorized.  Now, we are going almost every day and getting new books each time we go.  We are having fun finding new books and trying ones we have never heard of before.  Some, well, let's just say, they need a bit more creative writing!!, but others are great and we have enjoyed discovering them!!

3.   As much as I have always tried to read to her, we are taking the time to read even more now that we are in the reading program.  It just stands to reason that if you are in a contest, you are going to work harder at what you are trying to accomplish.  We are strengthening a habit we already had.  After the contest is over, we probably won't read 10 books everyday and then go to the library and get 10 new ones everyday!! However, we probably will read more than we already were and will make more visits to the library then we already were making!  A reading program is a great tool to either begin a new habit of reading with your child or a great tool to strengthen the habit of reading with them.

So, if you are in the Northwest Indiana area, sign up for the reading program. It's not too late!!  If you live out of area, find out if your library has a similar program.  If not, be creative and make one up for your own family.  It doesn't take a lot of money to entice your child to do something.  Go to the Dollar store and make your own prize bucket from which they can choose.  You'll be surprised at the increased reading habits your child has created by the end of the summer!