Why You Should Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read More This Summer

Summer is certainly the time for infusing fun! From family vacations, to summer camp, to lazy days spent poolside – it’s a great season to enjoy. Summer also has lots of down time. Road trips, rainy days and resting on the beach offer lots of time for relaxation and reading. All opportunities to also encourage your middle schooler to read.

Why? Encouraging middle schoolers to read more this summer is crucial for many reasons including:

Language and Communication Skills:

Reading helps improve vocabulary, grammar, and language skills. By reading books of different genres and styles, middle schoolers expand their vocabulary, enhance their comprehension abilities, and develop stronger communication skills. These skills are essential for academic success across various subjects and for effective communication in their personal and professional lives.

Academic Achievement:

Reading regularly has a positive impact on academic performance. It exposes middle schoolers to different ideas, perspectives, and knowledge. Reading enhances critical thinking skills, improves concentration, and boosts cognitive development. Students who read more tend to have better comprehension, writing skills, and overall academic achievement.

Imagination and Creativity:

Reading stimulates imagination and creativity. It takes readers on journeys to different worlds, introduces them to diverse characters, and encourages them to envision scenes and scenarios. Middle schoolers who engage in reading develop a rich inner world and learn to think creatively, which can benefit them in problem-solving, writing, and other creative endeavors.

Empathy and Understanding:

Books offer glimpses into different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. Reading exposes middle schoolers to characters from diverse backgrounds, fostering empathy and understanding. It helps them develop a broader worldview, appreciate diversity, and become more compassionate individuals.

Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills:

Reading promotes critical thinking and analytical skills. It encourages middle schoolers to analyze characters, storylines, and themes, enabling them to draw connections, make predictions, and evaluate information. These analytical skills are valuable in academics and in navigating the complexities of the world around them.

Personal Development and Self-Reflection:

Books often tackle themes of identity, personal growth, and self-discovery. Middle schoolers can find relatable characters and situations in books, which can aid in their own self-reflection and personal development. Reading helps them explore their own emotions, values, and beliefs, fostering self-awareness and self-confidence.

Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being:

Reading is a form of relaxation and escapism. It can serve as a healthy break from everyday stress and digital overload. By engaging in a captivating story or immersing themselves in a book, middle schoolers can reduce anxiety, unwind, and improve their overall mental well-being.

Lifelong Learning and Love for Reading:

Encouraging middle schoolers to read more can cultivate a lifelong love for reading. If they develop a positive reading habit during this stage, it is more likely to carry on into adulthood. A love for reading opens doors to continuous learning, personal growth, and a lifelong source of entertainment and enrichment.

By encouraging middle schoolers to read more, we empower them with valuable skills, knowledge, and a passion for learning. Reading broadens their horizons, nurtures their imagination, and contributes to their overall personal and intellectual development.

A Creative Way to Encourage Reading:

If you struggle to get your middle schooler excited about reading, you are not alone. A clever solution is to engage them in reading in creative ways. One of our favorite companies has a new product available that’s a fantastic solution.

The wildly popular Subscription Book Box “Once Upon A Book Club” now has boxes for 7-12 year olds. Each box includes perfectly curated wrapped gifts with a page number on it to open as you read the book. Kiddos will be inspired to keep reading just so they can open the gifts. These gifts are fun items that will keep the kiddos engaged even after the book is complete.

Why You Should Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read More This Summer

About Once Upon a Book Club:

The Once Upon a Book Club membership offers several benefits that can enhance the reading experience and bring joy to book lovers. There are so many advantages to this membership iuncluding:

Unique Reading Experience:

Once Upon a Book Club provides a one-of-a-kind reading experience by combining the joy of reading with immersive, interactive elements. Each month, members receive a specially curated book along with individually wrapped gifts. These gifts are strategically placed within the book and are meant to be opened at specific page numbers, adding surprise and excitement to the reading journey.

Literary Exploration:

The membership allows readers to discover a wide range of books across various genres and themes. Once Upon a Book Club selects thought-provoking titles that engage readers and expose them to diverse narratives, helping to broaden their literary horizons.

Community and Discussion:

Once Upon a Book Club fosters a sense of community among readers. Members can connect with fellow book enthusiasts through online platforms, such as forums or social media groups, to discuss the monthly book selection, share insights, and engage in meaningful conversations. This community aspect provides an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and develop friendships around a shared love for reading.

Interactive Reading Experience:

The unique feature of Once Upon a Book Club is the interactive aspect. The individually wrapped gifts within the book encourage readers to pause, reflect, and engage with the story in a more tactile way. Opening these gifts at specific moments creates a sense of anticipation and encourages deeper immersion into the narrative.

Surprise and Delight:

The element of surprise is a significant advantage of the Once Upon a Book Club membership. Unwrapping the gifts as the story unfolds adds an extra layer of excitement and enjoyment to the reading experience. It creates a sense of anticipation and delight, making the reading process even more engaging and memorable.

Why You Should Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read More This Summer

Curated Bookish Items:

In addition to the gifts related to the story, Once Upon a Book Club often includes bookish items that complement the reading experience. These items may include bookmarks, art prints, stationery, or other thematic goodies. These curated items not only enhance the reading journey but also serve as keepsakes and reminders of the books and stories enjoyed.

Personalized Reading Recommendations:

Once Upon a Book Club’s team puts careful thought and consideration into selecting books that will captivate and resonate with readers. Their curated book selections aim to offer unique and memorable reading experiences tailored to the interests of the members. The personalized recommendations help introduce readers to new authors, genres, and stories they might not have discovered otherwise.

The Once Upon a Book Club Middle Grade Box membership provides an immersive, interactive, and community-driven reading experience. It adds an extra layer of excitement, surprise, and connection to the joy of reading, making it a delightful option for parents seeking unique and engaging literary adventures for middle schoolers.

by
Barb Webb. Founder and Editor of Rural Mom, is an the author of "Getting Laid" and "Getting Baked". A sustainable living expert nesting in Appalachian Kentucky, when she’s not chasing chickens around the farm or engaging in mock Jedi battles, she’s making tea and writing about country living and artisan culture.
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