Summer Challenge #1: Join a Summer Reading Program

According to the School Library Journal, “Based on the findings of a recent three-year study by Dominican University’s Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, we can confirm what many librarians have long suspected: students who take part in their local library’s summer reading program significantly improve their reading skills. In fact, we found that kids who participate in these programs are 52 Lexile points ahead of their peers who do not. Summer reading programs are also an antidote for learning loss. So instead of losing knowledge and skills during the summer months, kids who attend reading programs actually show gains.”

This week be sure to stop by your local library and join a free summer reading program. If you are in Central Ohio there are a number of programs to join. Will you be joining one of the following?

Bexley Public Library: This year the Summer Community Read theme is Libraries Rock. The kick off party will be June 3, 2018 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Columbus Metropolitan Library: “Formerly known as Summer Reading Club, CML has rebranded the program to Summer Reading Challenge to emphasize the educational – as opposed to recreational – aspect of summer reading.” The nine-week Summer Reading Club runs Saturday, June 2, through Saturday, Aug. 4. All participants will need a CML library card to sign up.

Upper Arlington Public Library: How do you participate in Summer Library Club? Read 20 hours and complete 20 activities between May 22nd and July 30th. Click the link for more details!

Westerville Public Library: “Read and Rock” runs Thursday, June 7, through Tuesday, August 7. “Challenge yourself to a summer of reading. Fight summer boredom or reconnect with your favorite pastime and earn prizes along the way.”

Worthington Libraries: “Let the Music Play” runs Tuesday, May 29, through Sunday, July 29. Worthington Libraries wants you to get ready to make some noise and join the summer reading program!

To help introduce you and your children to new books, I want to share Elephant Books with you. Elephant Books is a monthly book club for kids that delivers brand new, hardcover children’s books to your door. In addition to a monthly delivery of brand new, hardcover books, Elephant Books uniquely provides a set of fun activities designed to make family reading more meaningful and create engaged young readers. Click the link to learn more about the company and how to join!

I am also excited to announce that we are partnering with Elephant Books to give 1 reader a free 1 month subscription of either the board books or picture books. Head over to our Instagram and Facebook Page to see how to enter.

If you entered and didn’t win, don’t worry! I am also excited to be partnering with Elephant Books to offer the coupon code SaynPlay to receive $10 off any Elephant Books subscription. The coupon code will be good through the end of July.

Check-in each week this summer for adventure ideas in your community. My hope is that each and every adventure will be different and exciting. This year I have partnered with businesses in the community to put together an epic summer bucket giveaway at the end of the 10 weeks. The bucket includes ways to Say-n-Play both at home and in Columbus. You will be entered into the drawing for the bucket each time you connect and share your weekly adventure experiences using the hashtag – #saynplaythesummeraway.