Why Summer Reading is Crucial in the Age of AI

Summer is right around the corner! Before we know it, the sounds of the school bus will be replaced by children splashing in pools, riding bikes around neighborhoods and laughing with friends during their precious summer days. While a well-deserved break sounds lovely, parents often worry about the silent challenge that lurks beneath the sun-filled days – the ominous summer slide.

So, how can parents and teachers keep young minds engaged and prevent learning loss during the months before school resumes?

The answer is simple: summer reading!

Reading during the summer strengthens critical and creative thinking – skills that are more essential than ever in our fast-paced, AI-driven world. But here’s the challenge: Kids are reading for fun less than ever before.

According to the National Assessment of Education Progress, only 17% of 13-year-olds say they read for fun almost every day, a steep decline from 27% in 2012 and 35% in 1984. This shift isn’t surprising, given the endless digital distractions today.

As a mother of two teenagers, I’ve witnessed the shift from excitement over bedtime stories to reading only for school assignments. But last summer, something magical happened. My daughter picked up a book just for fun. I watched her get lost in a fictional world, forming deep connections with the characters. It reminded me why summer is perfect for long-form reading. Whether it’s a novel, biography, historical account or even an in-depth article, summer reading builds stamina, persistence and curiosity.

And in the age of Artificial Intelligence, these skills are more important than ever. Strong literacy and analytical thinking will help our children sift through misinformation, identify reliable sources and critically engage with AI-generated content.

Beyond analysis, reading also fuels imagination and empathy. Stories help kids see the world through different perspectives, teaching them to think outside the box, an essential skill in an era of rapid technological change.

Ways to Support your Child’s Summer Reading.

• Offer variety and choice: Let kids choose books that excite them! Any reading is valuable, whether it's fantasy, sports, graphic novels or history.
• Connect reading to their interests: Whether your child is in a dinosaur phase, their American Girl doll era or all about sports, find titles that align with their passions.
• Make reading social: Encourage informal book discussions at the dinner table or set up small reading groups with friends. Ask open-ended questions about what your children read, such as “What would you do in this situation?” or “How else could this story have ended?” These conversations can further enhance creative and problem-solving abilities.
• Read together: For younger children or those who struggle with reading, shared reading time can be a bonding experience. For older children, read a book together and have impromptu book chats. Kids are more likely to read when they see their parents and family members enjoying books as well.
• Take advantage of local resources: Public libraries offer fantastic summer reading programs, complete with book lists, events and incentives to keep kids engaged.

At the SXSW Education Conference this past March, futurist Sinead Bovell shared a powerful insight: “Kids need to read more, read for the sake of reading and read in a way that they can come back to school or with their parents and discuss the ideas and have those ideas challenged. Kids need to play more in the age of advanced technologies. The future Steve Jobs of the world, they're not going to come from a corporate cubicle. They're going to come from people that have imagination, that can play freely, experiment and work collaboratively.”

That’s exactly what summer gives our children: time to explore, create and dream. Summer reading is about more than avoiding the summer slide. It’s about preparing young minds for a future where curiosity, critical thinking and creativity will be their greatest assets. Happy reading!

A former English teacher, Jennifer Jagdmann is the middle school principal and incoming head of school at Corbett Prep.

*Presented by Corbett Prep | Originally published in the May 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.