Students relish the end of the school year because it means weeks spent outside of the classroom. However, just because they're out of class, students shouldn't stop learning altogether. In fact, many teachers are warning parents to beware what they're calling the "summer slide." This refers to when children lose some of the skills they've learned throughout the school year because they aren't practicing them enough over break. The good news is that this can be prevented while still allowing children to have a fun and reviving summer. Here are a few simple ways parents can prevent the summer slide:
Read often
When children are developing reading skills, a months-long gap can really inhibit their growth – and it's actually been found to set them back. Your kids' school may assign summer reading, but if it doesn't, then encourage your children to read at least once a day for 20 minutes. Even fun reads like graphic novels and chapter books can increase vocabulary and fluency. For younger kids, get into the habit of reading aloud to them each night before bed.
Go to the library
Make reading even more fun by taking regular trips to the library throughout the summer. No matter what interests or passions your children have, there are likely to be an array of fiction and non-fiction books about them on the library's shelves, so have a good time exploring them with your kids. Encourage them to pick out a new book or two each time you go.
Take field trips
Field trips aren't just for school! You and your children can take educational day trips to museums, the zoo, the aquarium, memorials, parks and many other places over the summer. Have students do a little research about the location before you go. Then, ask them to come up with an educational activity you can do while you're there, such as an exhibit they want to see in the museum or five animals they want to learn more about at the zoo.
Play games
If your children love games, make some time each week to play a different board or card game with them. Board games can be very educational – Monopoly requires some math, while Scrabble and Boggle are good vocabulary boosters. Keep in mind that there are "junior" versions of many board games, which means even younger kids can reap the benefits of educational playtime.
Summer isn't necessarily a time for structured learning, but that doesn't mean it can't be educational. Have fun with your kids and encourage them to read, do math and learn more about things that interest them every day.
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