#SummerKidsRead - First Tutors Competition

by Anna Michaelidou

Summer is coming! And how many of us are looking forward to lounging on the beach with the sun beaming down on us and our favourite book in our hands? Our kids on the other hand are looking forward to six weeks of no lessons, fun days out and as little school-work as possible.

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We all know that getting children to read can be like getting round to putting the winter clothes away and replacing them with summer ones; basically a real chore. But it is a proven fact that children that keep up with their reading over the summer holidays are more likely to see a great improvement in their reading abilities and vocabulary building. They will also be more ready to get back into the swing of school when those gates open for the first time again in early September and avoid the inevitable summer slide.

So how can we encourage our children to read over the summer and build up their reading skills? Here are four great tips:

1. Read to your child - reading to your child will not only build their listening comprehension skills but help build their vocabulary and motivate them to want to read for themselves.

2. Let them choose what they are going to read - take a trip to your local library or a book-store and let your child choose their own book. Of course a little help and the odd suggestion can go a long way and always try to make sure your child challenges themselves when choosing a book.

3. Make sure they read something everyday - whether it be a chapter from their chosen book, an article in a kids magazine, a story from the newspaper or even an online article, reading everyday will help your child build their reading skills and teach them to incorporate reading into their daily routine.

4. Let them read on a kindle - whilst we, as parents, spend half of our time trying to reduce the time our children spend on technological devices, it has been proven that some children find reading on a kindle or eBook reader less tiresome and can be a more effective way of motivating them to enjoy reading.

Here at First Tutors we know the importance of building a child's literacy skills and ensuring children do as well as they possibly can academically. That's why from today we are running a competition to find the best #SummerKidsRead.

We want you to share your favourite #SummerKidsRead with us; a book that you feel is an ideal summer read for kids! The competition will run from June 13th to July 4th 2016. The prize is an amazing Kindle, 6" Glare-Free Touchscreen Display, Wi-Fi (Black) worth £59.99!

The winner will be announced the week of 4th July.

To enter on Facebook simply post your favourite summer read using #SummerKidsRead. On Twitter and G+ follow us, and tweet your favourite summer read using #SummerKidsRead (Terms & Conditions are below).

In the meantime we have come up with a list of five books we highly recommend for #SummerKidsRead to help inspire you:

1. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.

A fabulous book series by a favourite kids author. Great for the 7+ age range. Funny and satisfying!

2. The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson by Rick O'Riordan.

A thrilling, adventure read for those who love a clever story!

3. BFG by Roald Dahl.

Every child loves a Roald Dahl book and with the film version due out this summer what better book for a child to read! Great for all ages!

4. Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon.

This is a great book for kids who have not yet discovered the real joys of reading. Younger aged kids will love Henry's rude and hideous ways, keeping them entertained whilst encouraging their love of reading.

5. Charlotte's Web by E B White.

This wonderful story about the friendship of Charlotte the spider and Wilbur the pig will have your child hooked. Great for all ages and a must read for all children.

Terms and Conditions

1. How to Enter

1.1. To enter the competition post your favourite book that encapsulates your best #SummerKidsRead on Facebook or Twitter or G+ using #SummerKidsRead

1.2. The winner will be announced the week of the 4th July.

2. When to Enter and Who can Enter

2.1. The Competition opens on 13th June 2016 and closes on 4th July 2016. Winners will be notified within a week of the closing date.

2.2. Entrants can enter at any point between these dates

2.3. The Competition is only open to UK residents over 21 years excluding employees and agents of First Tutors and anyone professionally connected with the administration of the competition.

3. Prizes

3.1. The prize for winning the competition will be a Kindle, 6" Glare-Free Touchscreen Display, Wi-Fi (Black) worth £59.99

3.2 The Prize is as stated and cannot be sold or exchanged for cash, goods or services.

4. Data Protection and Publicity

4.1. By entering you consent to your entry, surname and basic information about you being disclosed on First Tutors digital channels.

4.2. Any personal data relating to participants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation. By entering the Competition, you agree that First Tutors may contact you in relation to the Competition

4.3. The competition winner will be contacted by First Tutors. You must provide accurate contact details on notification.

4.4. First Tutors reserves the right to use name of the winners for publicity and in advertising, marketing or promotional material without additional compensation or prior notice to the winners. By entering the competition, all participants consent to such use of their name.

5. Competition Rules

5.1. The Competition will be run and Prizes will be awarded at First Tutors sole discretion.

5.2 First Tutors reserves the right to suspend or to refuse entry into the competition

5.4. We reserve the right to change the competition rules and these Terms and Conditions from time to time. If we do so, we will always have the most up to date terms and conditions on the website and in the case of a discrepancy between these terms and conditions and those on the website, the website terms and conditions will apply. Your continued use of the website will constitute your acceptance of the new rules and/or Terms and Conditions

6. Liability and Indemnities

6.1. Except in the case of death or personal injury arising from its negligence, or in respect of fraud, and so far as is permitted by law, First Tutors and its associated companies and agents and distributors exclude responsibility and all liabilities, whether direct or indirect, arising from:

6.1.1. Any postponement or cancellation of the Competition;

6.1.2. Any changes to, supply of or use of the Prize; and

6.1.3. Any act or default of any supplier, which are beyond First Tutors reasonable control.

6.2. First Tutor does not accept responsibility for any liability arising from technical incompatibility, problems relating to the internet, or technical difficulties of any kind

6.3. First Tutor shall not be liable, whether in tort, contract, misrepresentation or otherwise for loss of profits, loss of anticipated savings, loss of goods, loss of use, loss or corruption of data or information, or any special, indirect, consequential or pure economic loss, costs, damages, charges or expenses

6.4. You agree to indemnify First Tutors against all liabilities, claims and expenses that may arise from any breach of your agreement with First Tutors.

6.5. By entering this contest, you agree to a complete release of Facebook from all liability in connection with this competition.

7. Jurisdiction

7.1. The Competition and these Terms and Conditions are governed by English Law. England & Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions.