Our Opinion: Summer reading not just for adults

While you pick out those perfect summer beach books, don't forget about including your youngsters in reading.

You might look at summer reading as fun escapism for yourself. But for your children, it's an important part of their development while school is out. (We realize we're telling you this as some of you are struggling to make sure your children have the required number of Accelerated Reader points before school lets out. But stay with us.)

Education experts credit summer reading with children's ability to retain information learned the previous year. Reading also helps them to grow in knowledge and critical thinking skills for the coming year, according to study.com.

Reading is like exercise that keeps your brain in shape. Just as athletes don't take off three months straight, neither should your children's young brains.

But children need encouragement.

Missouri River Regional Library is doing its part. It's teaming with the nationwide summer reading program, with a 2019 theme of "A Universe of Stories."

The program begins with a show by The Fishin' Magicians at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Your children - as well as you - can register for the summer reading program. It features three age groups (children, teenagers and adults), and two levels of prizes, including free books, prize bags and grand prize drawings.

Reading might not be a priority of your children this summer, especially toward the beginning. So give them a little down time, but encourage them to read.

You might find out that it's something they look forward to doing. During the summer, they're in control: They can go to the library, pick out their own books and read them for leisure. For children, reading is something that they often will want to do when they don't have to do it.

Encouraging your children to read this summer not only will help stave off the summer "brain drain," but it will open their eyes to a universe of knowledge.