What Kind of Reader Are You?
byCassandra Polzin
3 min to read
Summer is the perfect time for your child to develop a new reading habit. Since all kinds of readers can be susceptible to the “Summer Slide” or summer learning loss, reading can effectively reduce knowledge loss and keep your child interested in learning about new subjects.
How Can Summer Reading Help Prevent Learning Loss?
Your learner works hard all year to improve their literacy and expand their knowledge. With your support, you can help your child minimize the knowledge lost over summer break. Your child doesn’t need to read non-stop to see the benefits—reading just four to six books over the summer can prevent a decline in literacy.
According to the Colorado Department of Education, “Children that feel that reading is fun tend to read more often, so summer programs that help make reading enjoyable and social are most successful.” Remember that different kinds of readers will benefit from various types of books and reading activities. It’s important to understand that summer reading is most beneficial to your learner when they read books that are well-matched with their reading level and their unique interests.
How Can I Help Make Reading Enjoyable for Kids?
If reading feels like a chore or extra schoolwork, your child may not be as likely to dive into a new book. Here are a few strategies that can help make reading more engaging for kids.
Try reading challenges.
Look into summer reading challenges at your local library. Many public libraries run summer reading challenges, encouraging readers of different ages to read a certain number of books over the summer.
You may also consider setting up a reading challenge yourself. You can offer certain rewards for specific reading milestones, such as a pizza night, evening at the movies, park outing, or another prize that would entice your child. For younger children, consider setting a goal for books read. Meanwhile, you may set milestones for chapters or pages read for older readers.
Read books that have been adapted for the screen.
Encourage your child to read books that have been made into shows or films, then watch the adaptation together after they’ve read the book. Ask your child how the show or film was different from the book and encourage them to share their thoughts on which was better.
Have your child read books related to their interests.
If your child is particularly interested in a subject, build on this interest. Find age-appropriate books on that subject for them. When your child shows interest in a subject, participate in and encourage deeper conversations on the topic. This is a great way to enhance reading comprehension and facilitate a deeper understanding of the topic.
Read as a family.
For younger children, consider reading together. You may choose to read more difficult books aloud to your child. Meanwhile, have your child read picture books at their level aloud to you. This is a great bonding activity for you both while encouraging the benefits of reading.
If you have older children, you can each read your own book, but in the same space. When your child sees you modeling an enjoyment of reading, they’ll be more likely to adopt a love of reading themselves.
What kind of reader are you?
Take our quiz to find out!
1. Where do you get recommendations for your latest read?
a. TikTok, Instagram, or the New York Times Best Seller List
b. I let my next read find me
c. I’m working my way through the 100 Books Everyone Should Read list
d. I prefer to reread old favorites
2. Where for you typically read?
a. My favorite coffee shop
b. Anywhere I can get comfortable
c. Curled up in my reading nook
d. It depends on my mood
3. What format do you prefer to read in?
a. I always buy the edition I see on Instagram
b. Paperback, hardcover, library book, or e-book—it doesn’t matter to me!
c. Hardcover or bust!
d. Whatever I already own
4. Do you stick to a specific author or genre?
a. If they’re trending, I’m reading!
b. Nope—whatever piques my interest while I’m looking
c. I prefer the classics
d. I lean toward my familiar favorites
5. Where do you track your to-be-read books and recent reads?
a. In my book journal
b. I keep a running list on a bookmark
c. An app like Goodreads
d. I don’t track my reading list
6. Who do you chat with about your latest reads?
a. My community on social media
b. Whoever will listen
c. My book club
d. I prefer not to discuss my recent reads
7. Would you ever mark up a book?
a. I use color-coordinated tabs that match the book cover
b. I use highlighters to mark my favorite sections and write notes in the margins
c. Never!
d. My favorite books have tons of dog-eared pages
8. Your local librarian…
a. Keeps a stack of the latest releases ready for you
b. Loves to share their off-the-wall recommendations with you
c. Knows you’ll head right to the classics when you come in
d. Is a stranger to you
Mostly A's: You’re a Trendy Reader!
You stay on top of all the latest trends when it comes to books.
You likely have an Instagram-worthy to-be-read pile and a large following on BookTok! When your friends nee reading recommendations, they come to you first.
Mostly B's: You’re an Adventurous Reader!
You don’t discriminate when it comes to authors or genres—you’ll try them all!
Fiction and nonfiction alike, you cruise through all your reads and enjoy them just the same. Your librarian loves the challenge of finding a book you haven’t yet read.
Mostly C's: You’re an Old-Fashioned Reader!
You prefer to stick to the classics.
A pristine hardcover is your best friend, and you always use a bookmark (no dog-eared pages here)! You may not have touched the latest bestseller list, but you’ve read and loved Charlotte Bronte’s full works.
Mostly D's: You are a Reluctant Reader!
Reading isn’t usually your thing unless you find a great novel.
You can get lost in a book, but only if the setting is just right. You’re more likely to reread a favorite than dive into something new. Look for books like ones you’ve already read and loved or novels by your favorite authors.
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