It's summer! Students, teachers, and parents rejoice!
Although the beginning of summer brings a welcomed break from the rat race of the school year, boredom soon sets in for children and parents are left to battle balancing using technology, tv time, and trying to stay on track for the impeding upcoming school year.
The summer slide has been researched since the 1960's; learning loss occurs over the extended summer break. As a parent, you already know this! If your child plays the violin and then stops for 3 months, the skills will probably be a little rusty. For some children, it's just a bit; for others, it can make the beginning of next school year overwhelming. So what should you do?
Here are 5 ways that you can help to prevent the summer slide for your child.
1. Do what interests your child!
Does your child love to dance? Sing? Play an instrument, cook, bake, play sports?
Find what your child loves and "trick" them into learning! ;-) Go to the library for a scavenger hunt. See how many books he can find about the topic!
2. Introduce your child to something new
Take "field trips" to places in your community. Check your local city website for free events: concerts, story times, puppet shows, sporting events, and public libraries are a great resource to take advantage of things happening for free!
Alpharetta area:https://alpharettamoms.org/ has great resources for fun summer activities!
3. Monitor screen time
Easier said than done! It is way easier to let your child use the iPad and do an educational app than go to the store and plan out multi sensory learning activities.
Here is a great link for some fun alternatives! https://simpleasthatblog.com/25-ideas-for-screen-free-fun-this-summer/
4. Sign up for a class or camp
Take advantage of summer camps: STEM, book clubs, sports, outdoor courses, karate...etc. Let the professionals give you a break and create a fun place for your child to continue learning throughout the summer!
5. Plan play dates or take turns with other families
Connect with your child's friends and plan fun activities with other families. Chances are your child will be more open to doing some "school work" with friends from his class!
As a teacher, I witness firsthand how some students struggle to get back into a routine after summer. As a reading interventionist, I see the decline in students I work with in May and continue to work with in August after a summer break. Summer is a great time for students to rest, relax, and recoup from the school year, but using some of the ideas above can save them from having to start from square one when they return to school!
