As summer unfolds, many parents look for ways to keep their kids engaged and help them grow academically. This time of year is perfect for improving reading skills, and the right activities can make a big difference. Dr. Rick Graebe, a specialist in pediatric eye care and Vision Therapy at the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, shares some effective and enjoyable ways to support your child’s reading development. Based in Versailles and Somerset, Kentucky, Dr. Graebe’s insights are especially valuable for families across Central and Southern Kentucky.
Why Summer is a Great Time to Focus on Reading
Without the pressures of the school year, summer offers kids a unique chance to explore their interests through books. Whether it’s comic books, adventure tales, or stories about magical lands, summer reading can be both fun and beneficial. Encouraging kids to read what they love helps them form a positive relationship with books, which can, in turn, enhance their reading abilities and comprehension skills.
Here are some of Dr. Graebe’s top recommendations to boost your child’s reading skills while making summer reading a family-friendly, engaging experience.
1. Make Reading Fun
Not all reading has to be about classic literature or school textbooks. Encourage your child to read topics they enjoy, whether it’s fantasy novels, sports stories, or even comic books. Let them choose what they want to read, and make it a judgment-free zone. The goal is for your child to develop a love for reading, so embrace their interests and offer a wide range of materials.
2. Read Together as a Team
Take turns reading pages with your child. You read a page, then they read one. This shared experience helps make reading more interactive and provides opportunities to discuss the story. It allows your child to see reading as a collaborative and enjoyable activity, and it also gives you a chance to correct any mispronunciations and expand their vocabulary.
3. Encourage Hands-On Reading
When kids physically hold a book, they engage multiple senses that contribute to spatial awareness, which is essential for reading. Dr. Graebe notes that proprioception, or the body’s sense of position, helps children focus their eyes on the text more effectively. By holding a book, kids learn to stabilize themselves and better control their eye movements, which enhances reading comprehension and reduces fatigue.
4. Use Games to Develop Visual Skills
Games like “I Spy,” mazes, and word searches are excellent for honing your child’s visual and spatial skills. Dr. Graebe emphasizes that these activities are not only fun but also support the development of visual tracking and visual reasoning. Such skills play a crucial role in reading fluency, as they help children recognize words quickly and accurately.
5. Head Outdoors for Playtime
Outdoor playtime might seem unrelated to reading, but it actually plays a significant role. Activities like climbing, balancing, and running help your child develop the coordination and stability needed for focused reading. As Dr. Graebe explains, “Imagine trying to read a book while bouncing on a trampoline. You have to be stabilized to read.” Playing outside also fuels your child’s creativity and imagination, laying a foundation for problem-solving and comprehension skills crucial for reading success.
Consider Vision Therapy if Your Child Struggles with Reading
If you notice that your child continues to struggle with reading, it may be time to consider Vision Therapy. Vision Therapy is a specialized program designed to improve the connection between the eyes, brain, and body. It addresses issues such as visual efficiency, processing, and sensory integration, which are often overlooked in standard eye exams. Dr. Graebe conducts a series of tests to determine if Vision Therapy could benefit your child, providing a tailored approach to enhance visual skills necessary for reading and learning.
Dr. Graebe notes, “Vision Therapy isn’t for everyone, but if a child’s visual system is underperforming, it can make a dramatic difference in their reading abilities.”
Schedule Your Child’s Vision Evaluation Today
At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, we specialize in helping children reach their full potential through Vision Therapy and pediatric eye care. Our two locations in Versailles and Somerset make it convenient for families throughout Central and Southern Kentucky, including the greater Lexington area, to access expert care. Help your child develop their reading skills this summer with the support of a dedicated team.
To learn more about Vision Therapy or to schedule an evaluation, call us today at 859-879-0089.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.