Did you know that you can give students the same test just before summer break and again in the fall of that same year, and studies have consistently shown that students will do worse on the second test? When school’s out for summer, kids don’t stay at the same level of proficiency in subjects like math, spelling, and language. Due to a phenomenon known as summer learning loss, students actually forget about two months worth of material over summer vacation.
As a parent, how can you help your kid to beat summer learning loss? Read on to find out 10 things you can do!
1. Get Flashy
Make flashcards with math problems, spelling words, or vocabulary that your child was working on in school before the break. At least once a week, run through the cards to jog their memory.
2. Surf the Web
There are many wonderful educational resources available online that can help you beat summer learning loss! From fun science projects to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, there are plenty of great sites that will keep your kids learning and having fun.
3. Rock the Library
Many libraries have free events for kids during the summer. Younger kids can participate in fun programs and may even get prizes for keeping track of their reading. Older kids can volunteer to help out with the program, which will not only get them reading but also gets them involved in your community.
4. Get Writing
Encourage your kid to keep a summer journal of your travels, activities, and the new things they learn each day. If you can, take them to visit historic sites in your community and write about the significance of these places. When the summer is over, the journal will be a great keepsake for your child.
5. It’s a Zoo
Take your child on a trip to the zoo or visit local museums. Take your time and let your kid soak up as much information as they can about the exhibits. On the way home, engage them in conversation about what they learned on your outing and their favorite thing they got to see.
6. Turn to a Tutor
If your child struggles with math or language, hiring a tutor is a great way to ensure that they don’t fall behind over the summer. A tutor will be able to come up with personalized lesson plans that keep your kid on track for success.
7. Get Real
Show your kid how math and reading skills will help them with real life tasks. Ask them to help you make a grocery list with a specific budget using prices listed in the grocery advertisements in the newspaper. Have them help you read a recipe or a map. Every day, there are opportunities to teach your child about math and reading while doing normal tasks.
8. Keep up with Current Events
9. Get Crafty
Making things engages the spacial centers in your kids brain and helps them learn to solve problems creatively. Depending on your kid’s age and interests, you can find many inexpensive and fun crafts for them either by searching online or visiting a local craft store.
10. Make Music
Learning to play a musical instrument has been shown to boost math and reading skills, in addition to a slew of other great benefits. Group classes and camps are available over the summer. However, musically inclined children tend to benefit the most from private lessons where they can get personal attention and learn at their own pace.
Summer learning loss doesn’t have to effect your child. There are so many ways to keep young minds active over summer vacation, and this list is just the beginning. Let us know in the comments what you do with your kids over the summer to keep them from falling behind in the fall!
You might also like…
–Music Games for Kids – Classroom and At-Home Practice
–3 Must-Try Summer Music Activities for Kids
–Music, Math and More: How Do They Relate?
Photo by woodleywonderworks
Megan L.