Preparing children to read long before they enter school helps develop their capacity to learn at a time when their brain is growing up to 90 percent of their eventual adult weight.

Your baby may chew on a book, or you may have a toddler who wants his favorite book read over and over, or a preschooler who "reads" the story to you from memory. These skills of early literacy develop as early as birth. Studies also show that children with books in the home have a better chance for a good start in school and greater vocabularies.

Reading also provides a much-needed downtime for young children (and mom too) during the busy summer months. Families can get caught up in busy schedules and activities, running from here to there and going on vacations and play dates. We can forget that young children need daily quiet time. Reading with your children is a great way to get this quiet time and practice early literacy skills preparing your children for a bright future. To help you get started with your summer reading, here are three free reading programs for you to join this summer with your children.

If you want to take your summer reading program one step further, you can also practice writing skills this summer by having your children write a book report using my Summer Reading Book Report free printable. This free printable is designed especially for early elementary readers, focusing on titles, authors and characters.

So how do you find a reading program in your area? Try these three sources…

Free Summer Reading Programs for Kids

1. Public Libraries

Most public libraries offer a free reading program for children. Our public library's summer reading program is organized similar to a tic-tac-toe game, where children can pick three items from a game board of nine ideas. Once children mark off three square in a row, they can return their game board to the library for a prize. All children are allowed to complete one game board per month.

Those who mark off their entire game board are entered to win an iPad!!

Find a public library near you.

2. The iVillage PBS KIDS Summer Reading Community Challenge