In the last post, we talked about completing any summer reading assigned by the school. Today, we’ll take it one step further. As we get ready for school to begin, start replacing screen time with reading time. Start with just 10-15 minutes a day and maybe work up to an hour.

It’s more effective if everyone in the house participates together. Put the phones on silent, turn off the tv and computer. Put down the tablet unless it’s an e-reader. Spend the time reading quietly. Older kids or parents can read to pre-readers. If kids want to read out loud, dogs and cats and goldfish and hamsters (and stuffed animals) are excellent listeners and very patient with sounding out words.

I don’t care what you read – serious non-fiction or literary fiction, a beach read, a magazine, the manual for your stove. Whatever you want!

Audio books totally count. You can even decide to listen as a family!

The best part – you don’t have to stop once school starts!

PS: Want to help a teacher? The average teacher spends $479 of her/his own money to provide classroom supplies. If you want to help out, search #clearthelist on Twitter. You’ll see posts from teachers with links to their Amazon wish lists. Just choose something off the list and send it along.