Reading makes us better. If you don't believe me, check out this infographic by Raphael Lysander, The Benefits of Reading. Lysander details the many ways reading can improve our quality of life. According to him, reading:
reduces stress
increaes empathy
expands your vocabulary
helps boost memory, develop and improve analytical and communication skills and enhances focus
helps children with acclamation to new experiences
fosters early academic success, concentration and discipline in children
The infographic includes statistics and evidence to support all of these claims, but the basic idea is that there's no reason not to read. In fact, there is every reason to read avidly. With vacation starting in just about one month, it might be good to start thinkng about what your child will be reading during the break. School breaks provide valuable time for leisure reading and the path of discovery that accompanies it. Here are some tips for implementing a vacation reading plan with your children.
Join the public library if you haven't already and take a trip to find books of interest.
Try using a reading log. Require your child/children to keep track of the amount of time they spend reading or the number of books they read.
Establish a reward system for reading.
Find books about subjects they're interested in.
If your child is still developing their reading skills, read to them.
Tie reading into a fun activity. For example, a visit to the beach might be accompanied by a book about a fun beach trip.
Allow your child to use an e-reader and watch videos or listen to music realted to the books they've read.
Remember, "a child who reads, will be an adult who thinks."