School will be letting your kids out for summer real soon but remember learning plays an integral role for the upcoming school year. Research about how much children lose ground over the summer is well-documented. But summer is actually the perfect time for children to discover that learning is fun and can happen anywhere!
Start telling your kids now that learning doesn’t only happen in school. The summer is the perfect time to try out new things and explore interests that don’t necessarily fit into the school curriculum. Children can actively practice specific skills during the warm weather months. The goals can be academic, social, emotional, or behavioral—or even a bit of each.
Children can practice greater independence by having more chances to make age-appropriate decisions, such as; putting the dishes in the dishwasher, cooking an easy meal, and doing laundry. To avoid boredom, a child has to learn to be motivated on his or her own.
To keep up with academic skills it’s a good idea to use tools like workbooks and games that teach vocabulary words, and early writing skills to help children stay mentally engaged. It is also strongly recommended that children get into the habit of reading every day. Take your kids to the library often and let them choose which books to check out. Listen to books on tape, podcasts. Subscribe them to a magazine. Take turns reading to each other. Allow your kids to stay up a half hour later at night as long as they're reading.
Use Math Every Day! The largest summer learning losses for all children occur in mathematical computation. Some fun Suggestions: Give them money to buy what they want at a fast-food restaurant, supermarket, or Target and have them make change and review the receipt. Ask your kids to make change at the bank. Make up math word problems in the car and at the dinner table.
While kids can’t get a normal 9 to 5 job like adults, there are still several ways for them to start earning some cash. Learning how to make money as a kid is a great skill that can benefit them for the rest of their life. It gives them the chance to learn the value of a hard day’s work. Provide them with opportunities to make money: organizing a closet, washing a car, pet sitting, babysitting, dog walking, selling your family’s unwanted stuff at a garage sale, having a lemonade stand and more.
Your kids can also earn money with their friends. Invite your kids’ new or old friends to make jewelry, crafts, bird feeders or sun catchers, bake geometric shaped cookies, create a play and sell tickets. The money-making opportunities are endless. This is also good for strengthening or building social skills, teamwork, and learning about project management.
Summer Learning Helps Students Keep Up. It provides structure to children's summer experiences, making it more likely that they will stay engaged and focused. It also keeps their academic skills polished and in some cases, makes it possible for them to get ahead.
