While summer learning might look and feel different this year, we know learning during the summer months doesn't have to be overly structured or planned in advance to make a difference.
Connection is enough
When you ask your child questions about their experiences of daily life, you are helping them reflect, observe, and process the world around them, while building important social-emotional connections. Take opportunities to talk to children about their day: what did they see, smell or taste? Did they enjoy an activity? Why or why not?
Reading for fun is learning
Encourage and praise children's independent reading choices. Youth become self-directed readers and learners by exploring a variety of materials and developing their own tastes. For ideas, check out our expert library staff suggestions for youth, or get a personalized reading suggestion from a librarian.
Young people often want to reread favorite books over and over - that's great, too! In addition to chapter books, comic books, magazines, game guides, maps, recipes and other texts all help develop strong reading skills.
Try audiobooks
Audiobooks offer another way to read, learn, build skills and engage with stories. You can listen to audiobooks anywhere and on any device: in the car or on the bus, at home, or even outdoors.
If you're trying downloadable audiobooks for the first time, we recommend the Libby app. Libby streamlines the way to access audiobooks from OverDrive, also available through our website. You can also use the CloudLibrary and RBdigital apps to download audiobooks to your device, or find audiobooks on CD.
Ask Us
In addition to these ideas to try at home together, your library can connect you to many other learning opportunities and resources from the library and in the community. Your questions matter, and we are here to help.
Ask Us about summer learning