Research frequently shows that over the summer break from school, children’s reading skills can drop dramatically in a phenomenon known as the “summer slide”.
This means children can spend their first term at school in the new year just getting their reading levels back to where they were at the end of the previous year.
Auckland Council Libraries is addressing this issue with Raumati Reads, a summer reading programme for primary aged school children that aims to stem the summer slide by encouraging daily regular reading, to help children maintain or improve their reading levels over the summer break, ready for the new school year.
Auckland Council’s Head of Library and Learning Services Catherine Leonard says it can be challenging for parents and caregivers to help children maintain their reading over the holiday season, but this is where libraries come in.
“Your local library is here to help with free events and activities all summer long, including the chance for tamariki to earn prizes by taking part in Raumati Reads. As little as 15 minutes of reading a day can mean the difference between falling behind and being ready for the school year,” Catherine says.
“We focus on making reading fun for children, so they develop a lifelong love for it.”
This summer’s recommended reading list for children covers themes of te ao Māori, sports and entertainment, community, travel and exploring, and the natural world. The books by both local and international authors are available in different formats including print, graphic vox-books, audio and e-books.
“Our summer reading list caters to a range of ages and we’re confident children will discover something to read, or listen to, that they will love. Among the books, you’ll also find finalists from this year’s New Zealand Children and Young Adult Book awards.”
Register online at the Raumati Reads registration form. Starting 16 December, children can pick up activity handouts from their local library as part of the Raumati Reads programme.
With a broad range of summer activities and events across Auckland’s 56 libraries, there is something for everyone.
