Kids who don't read over the summer face a tougher time come fall. But how do you pull a kid away from the pool or friends, and get them to sound out those new syllables?

Reading is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization, offers a series of tips for parents to encourage children's reading.

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RIF's list to get reading rolling:

1. Visit the library. If your child doesn't have a library card, summer is a great time to sign up. Most libraries have kids' reading activities that continue throughout the summer.
2. Lead by example. Read the newspaper at breakfast, pick up a magazine at the doctor's office and stuff a paperback in your beach bag. If kids see the adults around them reading often, they will understand that literature can be a fun and important part of their summer days.
3. Talk it up. Talking with your kids about what you have read also lets them know that reading is an important part of your life. Tell them why you liked a book, what you learned from it or how it helped you – soon they might start doing the same.
4. Help kids find time to read. Between camp, waterparks, TV and baseball games, children may be too tired to pick up a book. Plan time for reading. Childhood education expert Jennifer Turner, an assistant professor at University of Maryland, recommends using summertime to begin a new home reading routine. Turner, the mother of a 2-year-old son, loves reading to him when he wakes up in the morning. Older children should be encouraged to read to their parents, younger siblings or other family members, Turner says.

Relax the rules for summer

During the school year, children have busy schedules and often have required reading for classes. Summer is a time when children can read what, when and how they please. Don't set daily minute requirements or determine the number of pages kids should read. Instead, make sure they pick up books for fun and help find ways for them to choose to read on their own. You may even want to make bedtime a little bit later if you find that your child can't put down a book.

Have plenty of reading material around

Storybooks aren't the only thing that kids can read for fun. Be sure to have newspapers, magazines and informational material on hand that might spark the interest of a young reader. Brochures for the zoo make great reading!

Use books to break the boredom

Books that teach kids how to make or do something are a great way to get kids reading and keep them occupied.

Combine activities with books

Fun activities such as going to the park, a movie or the beach can spur reading. Why not also encourage your kids to read a book about the activity? If you're going to a baseball game, suggest your child read a book about his or her favorite player beforehand.

Maryland's Turner suggests reading about summer vacation. She recommends encouraging children to read books about destinations and to help them do Internet research on vacation locales. Kids can also read online material on airline tickets, beach resorts, hotels and car rentals.

Whatever you decide, remember it's never too late in the summer to start your child reading again. That head start will pay off when school's back in session.

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