The path to becoming a lifelong learner begins in school, but some students need extra encouragement to get there. Many children hear the final bell on the last day of school and look forward to two months of not learning a thing. Unfortunately, an actual break from learning can cause summer learning loss, better known as the summer slide. If students don’t stay up on their reading, writing and math over the summer, they can fall behind by the time school starts again. Here’s how you can help prevent this for your child.
Play Board Games Together
Even the simplest of board games can keep your child’s mind working. Nearly all board games incorporate reading and math, while some actively keep players writing and drawing. More than academic skills, board games teach children how to play well with others. Developing social and collaboration skills over the summer will set your child up for success when the next school year comes around.
Encourage Summer Reading
Depending on your child’s age, you can either take time to read together or encourage solo reading. Find reading challenges you find online, or see if your child wants to compete with their siblings to see who can read the most age-appropriate books. Keep track of your child’s reading progress, as well as which books they’re reading. Sometimes, when left to their own devices, children will choose books below their reading level. Consider allowing your child to choose from a list of challenging, age-appropriate books that will really get them thinking.
Take Educational Trips
Find a location that’s all about interactive learning, and bring your child there for a day. Take time to learn about animals and plant life at the zoo or aquarium. Learn about art or history together at a local museum. If you’re lucky enough to live within driving distance of a specialized museum like the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, go out and make a day of it. There are plenty of fun places you can take your child where they may not even realize how much they’re learning.
Keep Doing Math
Of all the subjects students learn in school, math is the one that suffers the most from the summer slide. Children who don’t like math actively avoid doing it over the summer. See if making it a game will give it more appeal. Encourage your child to play free online math games like Prodigy Math Game, a role-playing game that requires math skills to progress, or the simple math games on Cool Math Games. Try making up word math problems to do at the dinner table. You can even gamify multiplication tables by practicing them with a timer. There are plenty of ways to make math fun. Just make sure not to overdo it — your child is on break, after all.
At our Orlando Catholic school, we hope that all of our students become lifelong learners. Located in the Diocese of Orlando, St. Charles Borromeo is more than just a place to learn; it’s a diverse community. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.
