MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – In a world of screens, library programs across Wisconsin are hosting free in person summer programming to help kids learn while they play.
Keri Schlecht is a mom of two, who brings her kids to the library during the summer, and said she sees the benefits firsthand.
โThe struggle is real with screens, so itโs nice to come to the library where itโs, I mean I guess it is an option because there are some computers, but that is not what we come here for,โ said Schlecht.
In a survey by educational app โLingokidsโ, 91% of parents surveyed said their kidโs screen time increases by an hour or more during the summer months, while not in school.
The summer programming is meant to help kids gain literacy skills through conversation, exposure and activities.
โWe learn how to use the card catalog and we go to the shelf and go pick out a book,โ said Schlecht.
Madison Library Youth Services Manager Tammy Pineda said that summers are filled with families and kids who want to take part in different activities.
From art classes to reading practice in fun settings, the programming meets kids where they are and helps disguise education with fun interactive play.
โLiteracy doesnโt have to be a special event,โ said Barb Novak, director of the Office of Literacy at the Department of Public Instruction.
Novak offered tips for parents who are working to help their kids maintain their literacy skills, typically developed during the schoolyear in a classroom setting.
โSo my number one recommendation is to figure out what it is that the kids you love want to know more about and to flood them with it,โ Novak explained.
She said to identify what your childโs interests are, then expand on them through interactive opportunities in the community.
โAsk questions about the vocabulary thatโs related to it. Help them find experts who understand the topic from the community. Find books about the topic from the library, search up articles about it,โ said Novak.
Pineda said that she is proud of the work they are doing in the summer, to bring kids and families in.
โOne of the magical pieces of summer is that we want children to choose what they want to read, what they want to interact with, what they want to read, what they want to learn,โ said Pineda.
If you are interested in a summer reading program, the Madison Public Library has some to choose from.
One program continues until August and encourages kids and their families to come up with creative reading goals and a map for how to achieve them.
For more information on programming, click here.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2025 WMTV. All rights reserved.