Read On: Summer of Stories with Legacy

Beat the Summer Slide, One Story at a Time. Little Readers’ summer-long initiative encourages children to read at home, at the clinic, or wherever their imaginations take them.

Why Summer Reading Matters

Summer is here, and as school takes a pause, many children risk losing the reading progress they have worked so hard to build. Texas students, like those in other states, can experience what is referred to as “summer slide,” a decline in reading progress over the summer break.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, is administered every two years and provides a comprehensive view of American students’ reading proficiency. This “report card” helps policymakers, educators, and families understand how students are performing nationwide. As of 2024, the NAEP shows Texas average reading scores now rank 37^th in the nation for fourth graders and 44^th for eighth graders. Students who are not reading at grade level by the third grade are four times more likely not to graduate from high school.

Despite these trends, there is hope. Making plans to engage your kids with reading over the summer can strengthen their reading skills by the time school begins. If you don’t know where to start, look into joining Legacy’s Little Readers Summer of Stories!

From Waiting Rooms to Reading Rooms: Legacy’s Little Readers

For the past decade, Little Readers has been committed to ensuring every child has a book in their hand. During every well-child visit, our pediatric patients get a “prescription to read” from their doctor and go home with an age-appropriate book. These “prescriptions” encourage families to read together, helping kids build vocabulary, language skills, and a lifelong love of learning.

Reach Out and Read the nation’s most widely used literacy program, reaches one in four children from underserved families. Legacy clinicians are credentialed through this program, making them equipped with the knowledge to discuss literacy with parents effectively. Legacy recognizes that early literacy can save lives, as reading is connected to every part of Houston. Low reading skills affect thousands of children in Houston, particularly in underserved communities.

How to Get Kids Reading

There are many benefits for children who read outside of school, including learning new words and gaining knowledge that can enhance their learning across all subjects. Reading skills can benefit children in multiple ways, from understanding classroom instructions to recognizing misinformation.

However, one key reason children don’t read is that they are no longer reading for fun, mainly due to widespread phone usage. To counteract this trend, here are some easy tips that you can use to get the little reader in your life to hit those books:

Follow Their Interests

Have you noticed that your child is deeply interested in a particular topic? Is it animals, slime, movies, sports, etc.? Select a book that aligns with their interests. Reading doesn’t only have to prioritize academic success but fully understanding the things they are interested in. Encouraging kids to read what they like, the way they want.

Finding A Cozy Spot to Read

Find a favorite spot in the house or backyard that can become their reading spot. This could be their favorite chair or the quietest place they can find at home. This cozy spot doesn’t have to be at home either; libraries offer inviting reading nooks for your little reader to snuggle up with a good book. Additionally, they’ll be surrounded by books and can engage with kids their own age through reading.

Start Small, Start Slow

If you have a child who struggles to read, start with just 15 minutes a day to ease into the routine. As you work with your child and boost their reading confidence, watch how those minutes become easier until your little reader is reading independently.

How to Get Involved

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or supporter of early childhood literacy, there’s a place for you in this effort. Legacy’s Little Readers program is entirely donor-supported. Since the program was launched, 300,000 free books have been distributed to children in and outside Legacy clinics.

Every book you help put in a child’s hands is a step toward a brighter future. Become a Little Readers Champion today and consider making a contribution to the program here. Your gift can help us reach the next 300,000 kids.

For more information on the program, please visit our website or contact Debbie Costello, Little Readers Program Manager, at dcostello@legacycommunityhealth.org.

With your support, we can spark a love of reading for the next generation, one story at a time.