How to Keep Your Child Interested in Reading During the School Holidays
Why Reading Often Slips Away in the Summer—and Why It Matters
When the school year closes, many families breathe a well-earned sigh of relief. Schedules loosen, bedtimes shift, and the once-daily homework battles take a backseat. But for kids aged 6 to 12, a long break from literacy routines can lead to what educators call the “summer slide”—a dip in reading stamina, fluency, and comprehension. More significantly, losing touch with reading can erode your child’s confidence, particularly if they already struggle with learning difficulties or school-related stress.
Still, it's completely understandable: during summer vacation, who wants to force reading when both the parent and the child are craving freedom? The real question is—how can we maintain a connection to reading that doesn’t feel like a chore?
Shift the Focus: Make Reading About Connection, Not Obligation
After a long school year filled with structured reading assignments, children can develop a mental association between books and pressure. One of the most powerful things you can do over the holidays is gently re-frame this. Instead of saying, “You need to read for 20 minutes,” try exploring reading as a shared or curious activity.
Take a trip to the local library or bookstore—not with a must-read list in hand, but just to browse. Let your child choose books that match their mood or interests, even if they prefer graphic novels, comics, or short stories. If your child feels overwhelmed by longer books, that’s okay. Even short reading sessions carry big developmental value.
Redefine What “Counts” as Reading
Many parents worry if their child seems drawn to formats outside of traditional chapter books. But whether it’s a comic strip, an interactive story, or an audio adventure, the goal is to engage language, imagination, and listening skills—all critical pieces of literacy.
Audiobooks, in particular, can be a lifeline for reluctant readers or those with learning differences. When decoding text feels exhausting, listening allows kids to access rich stories—without the frustration. Integrating storytelling into daily life can make reading feel less like a task and more like a pleasure.
One wonderful tool is the LISN Kids app, which offers original audio series and short audiobooks crafted specifically for children aged 3-12. It’s designed to stimulate imagination and empathy while supporting language development—perfect for long car rides, quiet afternoons, or winding down before bed. You can find it on iOS and Android.
Establish a Gentle, Flexible Reading Rhythm
Vacations can be chaotic or over-scheduled, but incorporating reading into your daily flow doesn't require a rigid routine. Think in terms of opportunities, not schedules.
- In the morning: A cozy, calm time to start (or finish) a chapter together over breakfast.
- On the move: Listen to an audiobook during car rides or while waiting at appointments.
- Before bed: With screens off, a quiet story can serve as a powerful cue to wind down—the emotional tone, rhythm, and language structure of stories can even support better sleep patterns.
Your child doesn’t need to read at the same time or in the same way every day. What matters most is that reading becomes an enjoyable thread in the fabric of their summer—not another obligation.
Choose Stories That Match Their World Right Now
Summer brings new experiences: travel, separation from school friends, changes in routine. Look for books or audio stories that resonate with these feelings. Stories about camping, friendship, growing up, or even dealing with worries about change can help children feel seen and supported.
Interactive stories can be especially engaging for kids who feel disconnected from traditional books. They offer the chance to shape the story, make choices, and see consequences—strengthening comprehension while making reading playful.
Be the Model—Not the Monitor
Children pick up more from what we do than what we tell them. Read your own book during quiet times or share something interesting you read. If your child sees reading as something adults naturally enjoy, they'll be more likely to treat it that way too.
And remember, encouragement goes a long way. Celebrate progress, however small—finishing a page, learning a new word, or even just making time to listen to a story. Words of affirmation, like “I loved the way you imagined that ending,” or “Wasn’t that part funny?” foster confidence and connection without performance pressure.
Let Go of Perfection: It’s Reading for Joy
Above all, summer is a time to delight in stories and imagination. It’s okay if your child skips a few days, starts a book and abandons it, or prefers listening over reading. What matters is keeping the thread of literacy alive in a way that feels good—both for them and for you.
As you think about your child’s summer, remember that every story helps build more than just reading skills. It builds empathy, curiosity, and a lifelong connection to language. Whether through pages turned or tales heard, storytelling offers the chance to pause, imagine, and grow.