Get Your Child Reading Now with Huntington’s Reading Adventure Program

Huntington Learning Center’s annual reading program launched last week, and it’s time to get your child reading! While schools remain physically closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Reading Adventure is a fun and interactive way for students to enjoy reading during their downtime at home. The program incorporates supplemental activities and online resources. 

Reading Adventure is traditionally a summer reading program for Huntington students. This year, the program launched on April 22, 2020 and is open to all students, whether enrolled at a Huntington Learning Center or not. 

Fighting the “COVID-19 Slide” 

With the coronavirus crisis causing schools across the country to close their doors and move to remote learning, a new problem has emerged: the “COVID-19 slide.” Students of all ages are inadvertently being left behind, but Reading Adventure is one way to encourage students to read daily – and lessen the learning loss that is occurring nationwide. 

2020 Theme: Anywhere You Want to Go 

The theme of the 2020 Reading Adventure program is “Anywhere You Want to Go!” Readers are provided extensive reading lists with selections that expand their minds and build their love of reading. They receive a “reading passport” to fill with stamps as their journeys take them to different time periods and places, and they tap into their imagination along the way. The goal is to instill in all children a love of reading. 

Reading Live on Huntington’s YouTube Channel 

New this year, Huntington has expanded Reading Adventure to include additional online resources, including Reading Live, a program of weekly 30-minute reading sessions for different age groups: 

• Mondays: Grades K-3
• Wednesdays: Grades 4-5
• Fridays: Grades 6-8 

Students can join the fun live on Huntington’s YouTube channel at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or replay episodes whenever they like. Visit www.youtube.com/huntingtonhelps for more. 

Win Prizes for Posting on Social Media 

Every week during Reading Adventure, participants have a chance to win a $25 gift card. Have your child post a short recap of the book he or she is reading on social media using the #HuntingtonReadingAdventure hashtag. Drawings for the winner take place each Friday! 

Tips to Make Reading a Part of your Child’s Life, Now and Always 

Reading is a fun distraction while your child is homebound, and it offers many long-term benefits. Here are a few tips to get your child to incorporate reading into the daily routine: 

• Establish a reading hour every day. Maybe it’s in the evening or over breakfast. While you’re working at home, take a mid-day break and read your book at the same time as your child, or read to your younger child (or have him or her read to you) over lunch.
• Get guidance in choosing books. If your child hasn’t taken to reading, it could be that they aren’t finding the right books. The school librarian is likely going to be very responsive during this time to offer recommendations and guidance, and you can also try online resources like Goodreads or the American Library Association book lists.
• Make read-a-thons a regular thing. With more time at home, encourage your child to take advantage and plan a read-a-thon once a week, inviting siblings to join. As the weather gets warmer, these can be outside on a picnic blanket or on your patio.
• Read some movies. Pick a couple of books with movie adaptations to read together, then plan movie nights. Talk with your child after finishing the book to get their insights, and again after watching the movie to discuss how the film and book compare.
• Check out authors reading online. Many authors and celebrities are hosting live book and story readings online. Check out @SaveWithStories and @LaVarBurton (former host of Reading Rainbow) on Instagram and search the hashtag #OperationStoryTime on YouTube or Twitter for starters. 

Register your child for Reading Adventure today by visiting www.huntingtonhelps.com/reading-adventure. For online homework and tutoring help while your child is homebound, contact Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN.