Have you heard the term “summer slide?” It’s often used in education to describe how students can lose academic skills they gain during the school year over summer break.

Ashley Austrew from Scholastic wrote that a 1996 study showed that “kids lose significant knowledge in reading and math over summer break, which tends to have a snowball effect as they experience subsequent skill loss each year.

A more recent study (2020) of children in 3rd to 5th grades also showed that students lost, on average, about 20 percent of their school-year gains in reading and 27 percent of their school-year gains in math during summer break.” Without regular summer reading, children can lose up to two months of academic progress, especially in reading proficiency.

The good news is that a little reading goes a long way. Studies show that reading just five or six books over the summer can maintain or improve literacy skills, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency. Regular reading (20-30 minutes daily) exposes children to millions of words, which enhance vocabulary and background knowledge. Reading for pleasure during the summer can boost confidence, motivation and a love for learning. It also allows children to explore different cultures and viewpoints, which helps build empathy and emotional intelligence.

In the Kids & Family Reading Report: The Summer Reading Imperative, parents can use different strategies to encourage summer reading. Take children to the public library, have access to a variety of books and take books on vacations or road trips. Other tips include limiting screen time, finding new book series, purposefully making reading part of the daily routine and participating in the public library’s summer reading program.

The Montgomery City Public Library is ready to help families beat the summer slide with its Summer Reading Program, running June 1 through July 31. This year’s theme, “Unearth a Story,” will feature dinosaurs, archaeology, fossils and gemstones.

Participants of all ages can take part in the reading challenge by logging minutes and completing fun activities for a chance to win prizes. Raffle prizes include a dinosaur ottoman for young children, a LEGO Jurassic World set and books for school-aged kids, an Amazon gift card for teens, and a Jurassic-themed basket for adults.

Three professional presenters will entertain and educate patrons and visitors at MCPL. First, E3 Dinosaur Encounters will provide an all-day dinosaur event on June 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Chef Bananas and the Bananasaurus Rex will visit MCPL on June 17 at 10 a.m. Lastly, Reading Rita will join us on July 10 at 10 a.m.

MCPL programming kicks off on June 1 to celebrate National Dinosaur Day from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. It is an all-ages free event. Pastiche Night for teens and adults will be on June 3, beginning at 6 p.m. Please register early for Pastiche Night. On June 6th, MCPL will show “We’re Back” (rated G) at 7 p.m. in the community room. This all-ages event is free. You’re welcome to bring a comfy folding chair, blankets, pillows and snacks. Special SRP library programs will be held on June 8 at 10 a.m. for ages 0-5 and at 2 p.m. for ages 6-11. Adults need to register for the June 9 Adult Craft: Dino Skeleton Cookies, which is from 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

E3 Dinosaur Encounters will be at MCPL on June 10, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m, for an all-ages, all-day dinosaur event. Chef Bananas will present at MCPL at 10 a.m. and at Montgomery City Elementary School at 2 p.m. for the summer school classes. More SRP programming is on June 22 at 10 a.m. for ages 0-5 and at 2:00 pm for school-aged children. Teens will need to register early for the Stuffie Taxidermy event on June 23 from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. MCPL will celebrate International Mud Day on Saturday, June 27, from 9 a.m.-noon.

Please wear clothes and shoes that can get muddy. Bring towels and a change of clothes for when your family is finished. The last SRP event for the month of June is on the 29th, when Ethan Regan from the Missouri Department of Conservation shares interesting facts about reptiles and brings live ones too.

This event for preschool and school-aged children will begin at 3 p.m.

With so many fun and educational opportunities, the Montgomery City Public Library is the place to be this summer. Information about the July summer reading programs and events will be announced soon.

Families are encouraged to register for the SRP reading challenge, attend programs and make reading part of the daily routine. These are simple ways to keep skills sharp, combat the summer slide and develop a lifelong love of reading.