The summer holidays are a wonderful time for children to relax, explore, spend time with family and create memories. After a busy year of learning, children deserve the opportunity to enjoy the freedom that the summer break brings. However, this time of year also provides a valuable opportunity to protect the reading progress they have worked so hard to achieve.

Research has shown that some children experience a dip in learning over the summer months, often referred to as the “summer reading dip” or “summer slide”. This can be particularly noticeable for children who are already less confident readers or who have fewer opportunities to access books outside of school. Without regular opportunities to read, some children can return in September with reduced fluency, confidence and motivation.

The good news is that preventing this dip does not require formal lessons or additional pressure. It is about helping families understand that reading can be part of everyday summer life. A few minutes of reading each day can make a significant difference. Sharing a story together, listening to an audiobook while travelling, visiting the local library, reading a comic, exploring a recipe, looking through a magazine or discovering a new favourite author all count.

Schools play a vital role in encouraging and supporting families to keep reading over the summer. A simple reminder that reading does not need to stop when the school gates close can help parents and carers understand the impact they can have. Sharing book recommendations, celebrating children’s favourite reads, promoting the local library summer reading challenge and encouraging families to talk about books are all powerful ways to keep reading high on the agenda.

At Roade English Hub, we know that reading is much more than a skill to master. Reading builds vocabulary, develops background knowledge, sparks imagination and helps children understand themselves and the world around them. Most importantly, we want every child to see themselves as a reader and experience the joy that books can bring.

As we continue to celebrate the National Year of Reading, the summer holidays are a perfect opportunity for schools, families and communities to work together to keep children connected with books. Whether it is one page, one chapter or one story at a time, every reading experience helps children continue to grow.

As September approaches, let’s remind our families to keep reading, work with our local libraries to celebrate those that have, encourage those who are rediscovering books and prepare to welcome every child back ready for the next chapter of their reading journey.

Happy reading!