Editors' Note

Summer is here and it’s time for fun in the sun. Yes. But, many of your children have been through the pandemic mill when it comes to their classroom experiences and they will need extra support to maintain their reading skills.

Some children in primary grades have not had “normal” educational direct instruction for two years. While we all applaud the efforts of classroom teachers during this challenging time, even they know the instruction has not been optimal.But, don’t panic. With regular reading support over the summer, you can boost your child’s reading confidence and skill levels. Here are some ways to sharpen reading skills and make sure your child will be ready to soar next fall. REVIEW THE BASICS It may seem too simple, but do take the time to review all the letter sounds, vowel sounds and the sounds of blends and digraphs (dr, br, tr, and ch, ph, sh for example). Sometimes errors slip into basic skills without our notice. Classic examples are the sounds w and y make as they are not phonetic.

Then review things like periods and question marks at the end of sentences, characters and settings, and beginning, middle and endings of stories. Simple conversations about these as you read a book aloud will suffice.

You might also talk about the structure of a book: cover, title page, table of contents, pictures and text, indexes and glossaries, etc. Children who are familiar with these have a deeper understanding of books and all they offer. REVIEW STRATEGIES Children need to have an arsenal of strategies at the ready when they get “stuck” in reading. It may be as simple as a reminder of a letter sound or vowel sound, but often they need to know how to ask themselves a question or think about the context of the story.Parents can give prompts such as “What makes sense? What sounds right? What does the “e” do at the end of a word? Another good strategy is to go back and re-read or read on. Sometimes that solves the reading problem. Or find a part of the word that is familiar, for example dog in doghouse. Picture clues are a great help to young readers as they provide context and can help children anticipate what might be said. And finally, children need to know that if they’ve tried some strategies and still need help, it’s okay to ask for help. Reading is a complex skill and a bit like solving a puzzle. You can help kids be good thinkers as they read. PRACTICE FOR FLUENCY Young children are often so focused on decoding the words that they lose the rhythm and intonation of the words as they read. They sound like a robot. Give them the opportunity to gain fluency and “sound good” as they read. You can read a sentence and have them repeat it with good inflection. They can practice on a book they know well, and work on stopping at periods and making a question sound like a question.Focus on Comprehension Without understanding, reading can become an exercise in “barking at the moon.” Many early readers need help to think about the meaning of the words they read. Parents can enhance this process by asking questions, helping children make predictions (What do you think the dog will do next?) and having your child retell the story back to you after reading it.

A few minutes spent in previewing a new book, looking at the title, the pictures, identifying the characters and predicting what will happen in the story is a great way to focus on meaning. This is called a “book walk” and is definitely worth the time spent doing it.

Retellings are a good way to evaluate your child’s understanding of a book. Do they include the beginning, middle and ending? Do they leave out a major element of the story? Do they understand why the characters did what they did or do they get why a story is funny or sad? Acting a story out with stuffed animals or other toys is another way to get to the heart of the meaning in the story. PRACTICE Nothing improves reading skills as much as…. you guessed it, time spent reading! It is vitally important that regular reading sessions take place over the summer months. A month is a very long time in the life of a young person and kids will definitely lose their hard-won skills if they don’t read for several months.

Don’t think of reading as a chore or a punishment. It’s just a normal part of every day. Make it fun and plan some activities that relate to reading good books. Reward reading sessions with small treats. Choose a theme and read a series of books about it or join a local library or book store’s summer reading program.

If your child can read, he or she can learn anything. It’s really quite important. So get on the reading bandwagon this summer and let those skills flourish.

BY NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW

As a working parent, summer vacation was always a mixed blessing when my kids were younger. It was a relief to have a break from the daily school routine, but figuring out a patchwork quilt of childcare and supervised activities was stressful (and expensive). The older they got, the harder it became to find affordable options that would work for both of them – and not require me to spend half of my working day getting them to and from their different activities. So it was a relief when they were old enough to be left alone, unsupervised – but deciding when they were old enough was not an easy, clearcut decision! Keep reading if this sounds like you.

This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, please email me at triplep@ first5scc.org.

• Their maturity level, abilities, and how well they get along. • How long they would be alone and the time of day or night. • Whether you, your partner, or another trusted adult would be available in an emergency. • How your kids feel about being home alone. • Their ability to understand and follow family rules. • Whether there are safety concerns that are difficult to prevent or plan for. • How your kids react in emergencies or unexpected situations.

If your family decides the time is right, try these tips to help everyone feel ready and confident.

Make sure your kids know their full names, address, and important phone numbers. Review a list of people and numbers to call if they need help. If you know and trust your immediate neighbors, let them know your kids will be alone and ask if they can be a resource. reate a safety plan

Remove or lock up medications, alcohol, tobacco products, weapons, or other dangerous items. Make sure you have smoke alarms that work. Teach your kids how to use appliances and other kitchen equipment and have them practice while you’re there. Consider having your older child complete a Red Cross Babysitting Class and First Aid/CPR training.Talk with your kids about what to do in an emergency (e.g. earthquake, fire) or power outage, and what to do when a stranger calls or comes to the door. Have your kids take notes or repeat back the steps to take in each situation. Ask who they would contact for help and when they would seek help. Role play several situations so they can practice what to say and do. This builds the “muscle memory” that will help them stay calm and problem-solve in unexpected situations.

Talk with your kids and agree on rules about screen time, chores, whether friends can come over, whether they can leave the house, and other important issues. Start with just a few rules and keep them simple. Have your kids write the rules down, then post them in a visible place.Schedule check-in times

Make an agreement about when and how you’ll check in during the day (e.g., phone, text, video call). You might decide to check in more often in the beginning, then reduce the frequency over time.

Try leaving them alone for a short time as a “practice run.” Review the rules and safety plan before you leave, then review how things went when you return. Give descriptive praise for following the agreed-upon plan. Do this a few times and gradually stay away for longer or go farther away from home, until you all feel confident about leaving them home alone. Final Thoughts

Deciding whether children are old enough to be home alone can make parents feel anxious and question their own judgment. However, we can prepare children and calm our own nerves by teaching them skills to be safe, responsible, confident problem-solvers. These are important life skills they’ll need anyway!

 Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 17 and 21, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, the world’s leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit triplep.first5scc.org, facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.