Summer Reading and Writing

As a teacher, I always admonished parents to encourage their children read and write regularly during the summer.  Young children who have just learned how to read and write can forget how to read and write if they do not practice their skills over the summer!
When I taught first grade, I would often see children who had scored very well on their end of kindergarten tests, and who had great comments from their kindergarten teacher about their accomplishments.  However, when I evaluated them at the beginning of the school year, I could see that they had definitely taken a vacation from academics!  It was always difficult to explain to their parents that even though the children had made great progress in kindergarten, they had forgotten many things over the summer, and we would have to go back and relearn before we could move ahead.
I still love actual books!  There is something about holding a book, and turning pages, and just the feel of a book that entices me to read!  However,  I am in favor of the electronic form of books as well!   Download many books for your children to read, and carry your Kindle or Nook with you everywhere you go.  Anytime there is some down time, take it out and let the children read!
Staple some pieces of paper together and have your child make a diary about a family vacation, a trip to Grandma's, or things they want to do this summer.  For young children, I always encouraged them to make a picture first, then write about it.  Most children who have completed kindergarten should be able to write sentences using temporary spelling.  Temporary spelling is writing a word the way it sounds to the child.  Most children should be able to write words with the beginning and ending sounds, as well as some medial consonants and vowels.  Please refrain from the temptation to expect perfect standard spelling!  When children are learning to talk, we celebrate each new word and phrase, even though they are missing many sounds and using bad grammar.  Look at beginning writing as the first step in a long journey!