As a mother of an almost nine year old, I face many challenges when it comes to these two topics; reading and saving.
While my son is all for reading the types of things he likes to read, they are not always what I would consider “educational”. These days he is only interested in reading “Captain Underpants”. Last summer it was the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series.
My goal is to expand his reading horizons this summer with something other than cartoon and stick figure drawing comics.
I have a confession to make…
Sometimes I resort to bribery to get my son to do things. While I am not proud of using this tactic, I have to tell you it works and helps me to keep my sanity. The bribes often go down like this:
“If you stop bouncing that ball I will give you an extra hour of TV tonight.”
“Please empty the trash cans or I will not give you your allowance.”
“Give mommy a half an hour of quiet and I will let you have ice cream.”
I consider these innocent solutions to daily “issues” more than a bribe, but you get the idea. So when I noticed that our bank was offering a ten dollar deposit to a child’s savings account for reading ten books, I knew I had a chance to get my son reading some more educational material.
Summer Reading Programs
So today we went to the bank to pick up the flyer that explains the reading program and has ten lines to fill in to track your reading. We then visited our local library to obtain some “new” reading material that didn’t involve a super hero parading around in his underwear. I used this opportunity offered by the bank to my advantage, an incentive to read something outside of his comfort zone.
I wanted to be sure to share this great summer reading program with all of you! Not only are you getting your kids excited about reading, but they are also shown a great savings lesson-direct deposit! The ten dollars is placed right into their account so the temptation to spend the cold hard cash is diminished.
Here are a few of the banks I found that are offering this excellent summer program and a brief description of how each works.
- Metro Bank will pay $10 to children who read 10 books and complete a “Reading Rocks” brochure by Sept. 30. The program encourages kids to keep their reading skills sharp during the summer and also helps them earn while they learn! Pick up a Reading Rocks brochure at a Metro Bank Store near you.
- TD Bank is offering a summer reading promotion in which customers with a Young Saver account (kids) can get $10 if they read 10 books. All you need to do is have your child read ten books, fill out the summer reading form, and take it to the bank. They’ll get $10 deposited into their account and the fun of reading ten books.
- Rockland Trust’s Reading Makes Cent$ is a summer reading program that encourages children to read during the summer and teaches the value of saving money in a savings account. Read your favorite books from June 27, 2011 through August 12, 2011 – don’t forget your summer reading lists! Earn $2.50 in a Rockland Trust savings account for each book you read (up to 10 books).
These programs are a great opportunity to teach two important lessons at once, the joy of reading and saving!
Does your local bank have a similar program?
I’m not aware of any banks in our area offering any such reading incentives, but a sheet came home from school outlining a summer reading program in which students can earn prizes for reading during the summer:
1.) free kids meal from a restaurant
2.) free book from the library
3.) admission to an ice cream party when school resumes in the fall.
Luckily, Tori loves to read, and has already stated that she wants to complete the goals required to earn these prizes.
Hurray for bribes! 🙂
Bribery is harmless if used for good 🙂
I know there was a huge controversy about a reading program that Pizza Hut had in which they gave personal pan pizzas coupons to the schools to give to students for reaching reading goals. In our school, they were given to students who met monthly reading time goals. I honestly didn’t see what the big deal was….it’s just motivation through positive re-enforcement much the same way that grades are, or payment for doing a job. If something positive comes from performing an action, then people are more likely to do it. Earning some money from a local bank for reaching some reading goals (in my opinion) is a great way to get kids to do some summer reading when all too often they’re glued to video game screens.
I missed that controversy… I loved the Pizza Hut program as a kid!! If my brother and I had certificates that meant we got to go out to eat (a special treat when we were kids). That’s a shame.
I agree that positive reinforcement is a huge motivator for kids.
Yep…I have used bribery when my kids were small too. Love it! Keeping kids busy in the summer can be a real challenge. Great ideas here! Thanks.
I have to say 2 weeks into summer I am thrilled at the amount of time my son has spent reading; it’s his afternoon quiet time. He has been averaging 1-1/2 hours a day reading!!
I like the money ones better than food BUT I LOVE what Half Priced Books does. Read for a certain amount of time, get a free book! PERFECT! I signed up both the boys.
I will have to check that one out Jessica; thanks for sharing 🙂