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Kids’ Corner
Oceans of Possibilities: Maricopa County Reads’ 2022 Summer Reading Program Begins
Sixty-five libraries across the county are gearing up for Summer Reading as Maricopa County Reads opens June 1 with a community goal of 50 million minutes read. Maricopa County Reads is one of the county’s largest literacy efforts and plays a vital role in reducing learning loss while transitioning between school years.
“Building a community of readers means we are building a community of problem solvers, collaborators, and lifelong learners,” says Bill Gates, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, District 1. “The Summer Reading program is just one way to continue building an even brighter future for Maricopa County.”
Participants earn one point per minute for reading physical or electronic books (including graphic novels) or listening to audiobooks. Additional points are earned for attending in-person and virtual events hosted by librarians and local performers, completing summer reading challenges, and participating in community experiences to find secret codes while exploring Maricopa County. Prizes vary based on the number of points readers achieve. Readers who achieve 1,000 points can choose a free book for their home library or to donate to a local Head Start classroom. The theme of this year’s program is “Oceans of Possibilities,” encouraging readers of all ages to explore the many stories from under the sea. The primary goal of the program is to interrupt the summer slide, the common term given to the learning loss experienced by children while transitioning between school years. The secondary aim of the program is to promote early literacy among pre-readers and their families during the summer months.
ENROLL TODAY
THE LITTLE GYM
(Corner of Tatum & Cave Creek Rd) 29455 N Cave Creek Rd #102 Cave Creek, AZ 85331 THE LITTLE GYM The Maricopa County Reads summer reading program began in the summer of 2013. It has continued to grow, and now hosts 65 public, tribal and military base libraries within Maricopa County. More than 80,000 children, teens, and adults participate in the program annually.
The program runs through August 1 and all Phoenix Public Library locations are participating.
To learn more, visit maricopacountyreads.org
(Corner of Tatum & Cave Creek Rd) 29455 N Cave Creek Rd #102 TheLittleGym.com/CaveCreekAZ 480-977-1555 (call or text) Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Mention code: S’mores and get 10 % o Summer Camps!
TheLittleGym.com/CaveCreekAZ 480-977-1555 (call or text)
Classes & Programs For Kids 4 Months - 12 Years
Kids’ Corner
The Importance of Summer Reading
Beat The Heat and Encourage Your Kids to Curl Up With a Good Book This Summer
By Donna Throckmorton
The school year has wrapped up and summer is here. As vacation begins, many parents are struggling to find productive things for kids to do other than spending hours on their electronics. One activity that should be on all to-do lists this summer is joining the summer reading program at your local library.
Reading, throughout all seasons and all stages of life, is important. It is indisputable that reading skills are critical for success in school, work, and life in general. In fact, a study from the University College, London, Institute of Education found that children who read for pleasure are likely to do significantly better at school than their peers. The more children read, the better their fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Additional studies have shown that a child who reads proficiently by the end of third grade is more likely to graduate high school because the end of third grade marks the point when children transition from learning to read to using reading to learn other subjects.
A summer without reading can set students back, with the average student losing 17-34% of the prior year’s learning gains during summer break. Still, according to a report from the White House, reading just five books over the summer can help prevent learning loss. Arizona’s Summer Reading Program encourages participants to head to their local library and select and read any material of their choice for just 20 minutes every day. For very young or struggling readers, be sure to spread shorter literacy activities throughout the day.
It is recommended that students read books that they choose for themselves; children read more when they can choose materials based on their own interests. The ability to choose gives children autonomy and encourages them to stay committed to their decisions. Even re-reading the same books can help build fluency.
Summer reading at participating libraries also includes adult programs. Since children often replicate the behaviors of their parents, parents are encouraged to read more as well. Plus, reading has benefits for adults too. Reading reduces stress, slows the progress of age-related memory loss, and boosts sleep quality. A great way to encourage reading this summer is to schedule consistent time to read as a family. Setting up family reading time at the end of the day can help everyone wind down and make bedtime easier.
Summer library programs for all ages provide meaningful, enjoyable experiences available to everyone in the community. It is easy to get started: Simply visit your local library and sign up today!
Remember, as Dr. Suess wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
To learn more, visit azsos.libguides.com/ azsummerlibrary.
Donna Throckmorton is an Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records Library Services Consultant.
