Every summer, parents face the same challenge. You want your child to keep learning… but you don’t want it to feel like school all over again. Kids work hard all year, and that's especially true for struggling readers.
The truth is, not all summer reading programs are created equal. And if your child doesn’t enjoy it, it won’t work. Finding a program your child will love participating in is the key to making your time and money spent well worth it.
Here’s how to choose a program your child will actually look forward to:
Look for small group instruction
Kids learn best when they feel seen. Large groups often lead to disengagement, while small groups allow for individualized support and real progress. Small groups have an advantage over one-on-one tutoring due to the engagement and sense of community children feel when they're in a group working together to learn.
Make sure it matches your child’s level
A program that’s too easy leads to boredom. Too hard leads to frustration. The right program meets your child exactly where they are, and should have a way to identify your child's level accurately.
Ask how they keep kids motivated
The best programs don’t rely on worksheets alone. Look for things like:
Games
Incentives or prizes
Interactive activities
Positive reinforcement
Motivation is everything in the summer.
Check if progress is actually tracked
You should know if your child is improving. Ask:
How is progress measured?
Will I get updates?
What skills are being targeted?
If a tutoring company can’t answer that clearly, it’s a red flag.
Make sure it builds confidence, not just skills
Reading struggles aren’t just academic. They’re emotional. A great program helps kids feel capable again. The best summer reading program is one your child enjoys, feels successful in, and actually benefits from. If you choose the right one, your child won’t just maintain skills… they’ll walk into the next school year ahead. That's the best gift you can give them!
