Summer invites relaxation, time for
parks, beaches, playground slides, and slip n’ slides. However, one slide is not fun, or safe, for
kids and that’s the academic slide –
also known as backsliding. As kids, teachers and parents gear up for summer
vacation, backsliding looms in the shadow. Over the summer months, children
lose academic ground. Even the brightest students, away from their routine learning
environment, may lower their retention of key materials. Imagine what it must be like for the student
who struggles to stay on grade level in reading. Research tells us that, “All children
experience learning loss when they do not engage in educational learning during
the summer.” National Summer Reading Association
Why
not make your summer a classroom, no matter where you are? Whether you are at
the pool, on the back porch or in the grocery store, create opportunities for
your children to answer and ask questions, solve problems and think critically.
Virtually everything we do has educational value.
If
you are not planning summer travel, or your children are going to day care, you
still can change up the routine to keep the brain juices flowing.
For a few dollars, you can pick up some age
appropriate workbooks with math facts. Cut small sections of problems (I cut strips
of computation problems of 5 or 10 problems)
and make breakfast a breakfast of
math champions. Give your child a timer. Let him keep track of how long it
takes to complete the math strip, and let him compete against the timer to beat
a previous time. Have your child make up his own spelling list related to
something that interests him. Even a young student who loves basketball can
learn to spell words like dribble, foul shot, quarter etc. For added fun, have
him bounce his basketball and spell the words at the same time!
Always,
always read during the summer. We hear that so often, but studies prove that
young children decelerate reading acquisition over the summer unless they
practice. Make sure you and your child have a book whether at the beach, on the
bus, or in the backpack. Technology often trumps books, but for your children’s
sakes, keep books in their hands!
If
the idea of inviting the neighborhood over is daunting, or would not work, why
not have your own family reading marathon? By initiating an electronic
blackout, and hauling out the blankets and books, you accomplish the same goal
of making reading a priority. Make
reading important and help your child become a lifelong reader.
Check
out these great blogs and websites for useful information. They provide activities and ideas to
help your child stay sharp and prepared during the summer months.
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