Flipping the Script on the Summer Slide

Published on May 26, 2026

By Ben W.

When viewed separately, the words “summer” and “slide” sound quite fun. However, when you throw them together, you get “summer slide,” a term used to describe the decline in academic progress over summer vacation. Here at the library, we are focused on preventing that slide. Summer is for fun, but what kids don’t often realize is that reading can be fun. They just need the right tools and guidance to see that. Library, enter stage right.

Through our website, you can access a few different online sources aimed at helping to make learning and reading fun.

ABC Mouse – For younger students, ABC Mouse is a great source for educational games covering a wide range of topics. (This site can only be used in the library.)

ABCya – Access six free weekly games built for learning, with categories separated by grade.

National Geographic Kids – Nat Geo Kids provides students with games, videos, and articles where they can learn fun facts while reading.

Room Recess – Room Recess provides access to educational games that focus on three key topics: math, reading, and vocabulary.

Another excellent resource are the AWE learning stations available for in-house use at select library locations. These are touch-screen computers loaded with educational content for children ages 2 to 12.

But if you are a parent trying your best to limit your child’s computer time, sitting them down at a screen for hours to learn may not exactly be what you’re looking for. The good news is that there is another way to show your child that reading can be fun while also helping them further develop their reading skills: reading with your child.

Children will spend a lot of time in school reading material that is important, but that fails to feed their individual interests. This can lead children to associate the whole concept of reading with school, and who wants to think about school in the summer? As a child’s primary caregiver, you have the awesome opportunity to show them just how fun and rewarding reading can be. Take time every day to sit down and read to and with your child.

But don’t just read any book; read a book of your child’s choosing (if you deem it appropriate). Kids love the power of choice, something they don’t often get in school. Summer is the perfect time for them to ditch schoolbooks and explore titles that match their interests to discover what kind of reader they are.

I would also suggest taking them to the nearest library branch (shocking, I know) where they will get a chance to meet other kids their age who enjoy reading, participate in engaging programs such as Paws & Pages, and sign up for the Summer Reading Program for a chance to earn prizes for the reading they do (more on that next week).

If they are more of the outdoorsy type, make good use of summer’s nice weather and get them to read outside, whether it be in your backyard or at a park. Show them that reading can be done anywhere at any time with all sorts of different reading material.

Flipping the script on the summer slide isn’t hard; there are plenty of ways to show kids that there is loads of fun to be had with reading. They just need encouragement and support, and who better to encourage and support than the people raising them to be the best they can be?