How Do Summer Reading Programs Influence Reading Motivation?

The goal of summer reading programs is to encourage children to read throughout the summer. It can be implemented by both schools and public libraries. However, there has been many articles written about summer reading programs implemented by public libraries. A topic covered in many of those articles is reading motivation. Reading motivation is defined as a person’s willingness to engage in the act of reading. Furthermore, reading motivation can be separated into two categories, intrinsic and extrinsic. People that are intrinsically motivated read because it is enjoyable, and reading is rewarding. In contrast, extrinsic motivation is based on the desire to complete a goal. For example, receiving a prize for reading or being praised for finishing a book (Stutz et al., 2016, p. 440). Despite the research conducted, it is difficult to generalize the effect of summer reading programs in public …show more content…
Small et al., examined what impact rewards in summer reading programs have participation. The results of the study conducted showed that children that enjoyed reading did not need rewards to motivate them to read and even if they were not enrolled in a summer reading program they would read. (Small et al., 2017, p. 11). The research within the article supports the claim that summer reading programs may not influence reading motivation for children who are good readers. Jaclyn M. Dynia et al., provides further evidence to support the claim in the article, “Impact of library-based summer reading clubs on primary-grade children's literacy activities and achievement.” According to the research conducted on summer reading programs, the children that participated in the program enjoyed reading, planned to participate in a summer reading program, and were tested as average readers. Furthermore, the data showed that participation did not increase the reading activities or reading motivation of the students (Dynia et al., 2015,