Summer is a wonderful time for children to relax, explore, and make memories, but it's also an important time to keep their minds growing. Reading just 15–20 minutes a day can make a significant difference in a child's learning and confidence when school begins again.

Research shows that students who read over the summer are more likely to maintain or improve their reading skills, while those who don't may experience "summer slide," a loss of some of the academic progress they made during the school year. Consistent reading helps students build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, improve writing, and develop critical thinking skills.

Reading doesn't have to feel like homework. Encourage your child to choose books that match their interests, whether it's adventure, sports, animals, graphic novels, mysteries, biographies, or nonfiction. Listening to audiobooks, reading together as a family, taking turns reading aloud, or visiting your local library all help foster a lifelong love of reading.