Reading helps prevent 'summer slide' by students

SIKESTON -- Summer reading helps children maintain their reading levels and introduce them to new books, but it can also provide so much more.

"Books help children shape who they are," said Ann Thompson, children's librarian at Sikeston Public Library.

Experts say that reading just six books during the summer can keep students from regressing and having to catch up once school begins again in the fall. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children and to have their kids read something every day.

"During the summer, they're out of school, and it's important for them to maintain all that they've worked for the past year and keep their reading skills on level -- and even advance -- and be prepared for next year," Thompson said.

Thompson said another reason she likes to keep children reading during the summer is because there are so many good books out there.

"I want them to get to the point where they can just immerse themselves in a book and be totally lost," Thompson said. "I get so excited when they come back and say they want the next book in the series. And that's because they've formed a relationship with that character."

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has updated and released three Summer Reading lists for K-8 students. The lists are available at: http://www.ala.org/alsc/2014-summer-reading-list.

For the complete story, see Thursday's edition of the Standard Democrat.