BEAT THE BRAIN SLUMP THIS SUMMER Summer holidays are a great time to get your child reading for relaxation. Most children are pleased to have a break from the rigours of school work over the summer holidays, but many will not open a book again until the beginning of the next school year. Not only does this make it difficult to get back into the swing of study when the time arises, it also means a valuable opportunity is missed. And that is the opportunity to discover the joy of reading for pleasure. Reading for pleasure is a wonderful way for your child to escape and unwind. Its also a great way to keep their brain active. Studies have shown that children who stop reading over the school holidays experience something American researchers call the summer slide - a term used to refer to students learning losses over the summer break. Researchers used the analogy of a tap to provide some insight into their findings, saying that while children are at school there is a flow of information, and all children have the same opportunities to learn. When they are not at school, however, that tap is turned off, unless there is some active engagement with books or other resources. Children whose tap stays on throughout the summer holidays return to school with an advantage over those whose tap may have been turned off for the past two months. Over time, that advantage accumulates, and becomes a reason why some children are more successful at school than others. Success aside, there is a world of enjoyment waiting to be discovered inside the pages of picture books and novels. Books are perfect for the sofa, the back lawn and the beach – all the places your child is most likely to be lounging these school holidays. The Department has even compiled book lists for children of different ages – making it easy to find something for your pre-schooler, Preppy, eight-year-old or teenager. The book lists, which are refreshed every year by reading experts to include popular new releases, form part of the Premiers Reading Challenge – an annual event that inspires young people of all ages to read more books. So while their textbooks may be closed for the summer, their brains certainly shouldnt be. Make sure your children have a ready supply of books that appeal to their age and interests these school holidays, and help them discover the joy of reading for fun. To download a copy of the Premiers Reading Challenge booklists, visit: education.vic.gov.au/about/events/prc/Pages/booklist.aspx
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 09:52:57 +0000
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