“I’m booorrred! There’s nothing to do!”

Do these words sound familiar? Now that summer is in full swing, you might have heard them before. If not, you most likely will.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to fight summer boredom is a trip to the library. Yes, some kids may grumble. Okay, most kids will grumble and say something like, “It’s summer. I’m supposed to take a break from books!”

But evidence shows there are many great benefits of summer reading. One of the most prominent studies was led by New York University sociology professor, Barbara Heyns, in 1978. After testing nearly three thousand children in Atlanta schools, she discovered that children, especially those from low-income families, suffered an academic loss, now termed the “Summer Slide.” Subsequent studies outlined in the article concluded that a lack of learning over the summer could be detrimental to a child’s academic success.

According to the National Summer Learning Association, children in low-income areas can lose two to three months of reading skills and two months of math skills. While a couple of months may not seem as critical, by fifth grade a child’s academic skills may trail other students by as many as three years.

It’s important to realize that all children are susceptible to the Summer Slide. Any teacher will tell you that. A survey conducted by the NSLA confirmed that the average teacher may spend an entire month or more reviewing previously taught skills.

However, research indicates that reading only six books during the summer may prevent a child from regressing.

So how do you convince your child that reading is fun?

1. Take a trip to the library and allow your child to pick out books that interest him or her. Be sure to have your child obtain his or her own library card.

2. Create a reading corner. Fill it with pillows, blankets, and ample lighting. Make it a space your child will enjoy.

3. Allow your child to design a unique bookmark. He or she can draw a scene from a favorite book or use a favorite quote.

4. Start an incentive program. For example: For every two books read, you can make ice cream sundaes, or go to the park, the movies, etc.

5. Read with your child. Take turns reading a page. Speak in funny voices. Laugh.

6. Bring a book to life by putting on a play and re-enacting a favorite story.

Before you know it, your child will realize that reading is fun!

Luckily, there are many available resources to help your child reach that conclusion. Be sure to check your local library – most have summer reading programs in place. There are also national programs like the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge, the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Triathlon, Pizza Hut Book It! and various summer reading lists like those given by the Association for Library Service to Children, About.com, and The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Remember it only takes six books to prevent a child from falling victim to that dreaded Summer Slide so get out there and READ!