Find new passions with library's Summer Challenge
Summer is all about spending time as a family. Swimming at the pool and playing in the park, chasing fireflies and making s'mores. It's also a great time for families to read together.
Niki Pizza of Hanover Park understands the importance of reading alongside her daughter, 9-year-old Gabbie.
"We want her to know that imagination never goes away," Niki said. "If you keep your mind healthy, you not only live longer but your communication skills stay strong. When school is out for the summer, we still want her to challenge her mind with something, and reading has always been her thing. Especially when she says she's bored - we tell her to pick up a good book and escape into a different world."
"I like reading with my mom because we take turns," Gabbie added.
Gabbie shared that she and her mom are reading "One and Only Bob" by Katherine Applegate. They started by reading two pages each, but now they are up to reading eight pages each before switching.
"This helps me know if Gabbie is understanding what she's reading," Niki said. "She scored higher than district in her reading, so it's amazing to hear her read, and even how she emphasizes her words while she's reading."
Research from the National Summer Learning Association agrees with the Pizza family, stating reading is important to maintaining children's education over the summer. NSLA notes many students lose reading and math skills every summer, and nine out of 10 teachers spend at least three weeks reteaching lessons at the start of the school year.
But it's not all bad news. NSLA's research also shows that students with high participation in voluntary summer learning programs experience benefits in math and reading skills.
That's where your local library comes in. At Schaumburg Township District Library, our Summer Challenge gives you free access to a summerlong learning program, with emphasis on reading and having fun in your community.
"We really like the activities," Niki shared of the Summer Challenge. "Last year, we discovered a few new parks and we read more about animals, not only fiction books."
This year, Schaumburg Library's Summer Challenge is all about finding your passion by reading about different topics. Whether it's singing, writing, using your imagination, activism, experimenting or anything else, there's a world of books available to help you discover new possibilities.
"I love to draw," Gabbie said when we asked if she has any passions. "And I'll probably find something new to try and learn through the Summer Challenge, too."
Registration for Schaumburg Library's Summer Challenge is open now, and the Challenge officially begins on June 1. You can pick up a reading log at any library location or track your progress online.
Register today and get started at SchaumburgLibrary.org/read, or see what your local library has in store this summer.
• Hollis Sienkiewicz is the Marketing & Communications director at the Schaumburg Township District Library. You can contact her at hsienkiewicz@stdl.org.