When kids leave the classroom in June, the last thought on their minds is…How can I prevent all this knowledge from totally slipping away over the summer?
Yes, summer should be fun and a time to explore, run and jump. But it is important that SOME learning continues as the studies do point out that kids on the average lose one to three months of learning over the summer.
Here are a few creative ways to slip in the learning without them catching on too badly.
1) Hang out at the library one time per week for a few hours. If your children don’t have their OWN library card, let them apply for one so that feel more grown-up and independent. Most libraries sponsor summer reading clubs the can help you children stay motivated. They also usually have ‘Reading Hours’ where the librarians will read books to the younger aged children. Summer reading should be fun and so if your student wants to read comic books all summer, just remember that they are reading!
2) Have a special time each day where everyone (that includes you mom as children learn from example!) in the household stops and reads for a half hour. Could be right after breakfast before the day gets too crazy or right after lunch or dinner. And remember that could include you reading to everyone if that is what they want and they are around the same ages.
3) Let them MAP it! If you are taking a trip this summer, give your child a map and let them follow along as you drive. Places have brochures and they can do a little research ahead of time to find places they may like to stop along the way. Have your kids keep a travel journal of your trip. Purchase postcards along the way and let the kids write to grandparents about their adventures.
4) Volunteer! If your children are old enough you could volunteer as a group at a Senior Center, food bank, etc. You can also collect needed items on your own (groceries for the food bank with fliers in your neighborhood) and take them over to the facility that is in need.
5) Use math every day! If you bake and cook with your children they can learn math skills just be measuring out the ingredients. Give them little calculators to keep track of the items you put in your shopping cart at the grocery store and/or to figure out what the best price is on a purchase.
There are ways to have fun and keep learning over the summer!