Slide through summer with learning fun
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
By Kathi Beeks Valley Journal
The “summer slide” sounds like fun play equipment - it is anything but.
Children lose up to three months worth of reading and math skills during long summer vacations. While there are educators pushing to eliminate long summer vacations, (a touchy subject for some), there are things parents can do to keep children growing academically during their time off from school.
According to Linderman principal Kristin Wilson, “Reading is the most important thing to do over the summer in order to prevent summer slide. Reading doesn’t have to be the same thing every day. Children can read books, magazines, newspapers, trivia questions, etc. They can research areas of interest through books or online.”
Public libraries offer summer reading programs that teacher Darci Laud said can take the pressure off of parents.
“The biggest way to show the importance of reading is to do it yourself. That way it isn’t a punishment; it is a family activity," Laud explained. "When parents and families participate that is when children begin to love reading and see its value.”
Many families plan road trips and travel, which offer the perfect opportunity for audio books that Wilson said develop listening comprehension, vocabulary and fluency.
Second grade teacher Sheri Delaney suggests, “Practicing telling time and counting small amounts of change can be a fun activity to do with your child. This will help reinforce important math skills.”
Wilson said playing board and card games are also ways to keep math skills sharp. "Parents" online magazine lists some sneaky ways to incorporate learning into the summertime schedule: teaching chess or playing with tangrams, cooking (reading ingredients, instructions), building with anything and everything and touring local police departments, fire stations and businesses.
Local trails provide many opportunities to discover information about animals, trees, vegetation and geology. Introduce children to gardening by planting seeds, caring for them and watching them grow. Provide old clothes, blankets and props for staging a backyard play, complete with tickets, programs, music and refreshments. Hold family contests for listing state names, state capitals, presidents, continents, countries and more.
Wilson encourages parents to set limits on children’s screen time and to remember that exercise, sports and other physical activities help brain development and prepare children to learn. But even if summer weather turns soggy and movie-watching becomes the afternoon activity, choose movies with themes that can have lessons to learn and discuss.
Be proactive with summertime activities; include new experiences, encourage learning and provide opportunities for healthy growth.
