B.C. schools begin year with focus on reading skills after summer learning loss

As schools reopen across British Columbia this week, educators and literacy advocates are reminding families that some children may need time to regain reading skills after the summer break. The article describes the common decline in literacy that can happen over the summer, often called the “summer slide.” Terra Stephenson, a children’s program coordinator with the Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society, said this can affect students who are just learning to read as well as those who have not practiced since June. The nonprofit says it offers free support to help children rebuild confidence, including volunteer reading programs in schools, online resources and other literacy tools. Stephenson said steady practice usually helps students return to their previous level and continue improving through the school year. Her daughter, Sophia, who is starting kindergarten, shared simple reading tips for other children, including sounding out words, breaking them into parts and choosing books that match their interests. Stephenson also said bedtime reading can be especially helpful because it gives children regular exposure to language and vocabulary.