Summer Learning

Around the house and when you're out and about... make it part of your day

By Helen Williams

Ah, Summer. It may be time to kick back and relax but as a parents you want your children to hold onto what they’ve learned this past school year. You can help your child continue to learn and progress over the summer months if you build it into your daily routine. Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your time together.

Around the House

Read, Read, Read.
Encourage children to read everyday. Remember, reading comes in many forms. Don’t push a chapter book if your child would enjoy a Hockey Stats book or the comics. The key is to relax, enjoy the summer and keep reading up. Take a trip to your local library weekly to make reading an adventure.

Play a Game
Board games are a fun way to get some additional learning in. Simple math, concentration, and reading are all part of playing a game. Look for educational games to help your child in areas of study that need additional support.

Bake a Cake
Want to increase math skills? Try baking a cake. This fun activity will help your child understand measurement, fractions and following directions in a set order. Older children can expand their learning by doubling the recipe.

Connect with Distant Relatives
To keep up with writing and spelling skills encourage your child to write a letter every week. The letter doesn’t have to be a long one but just enough to connect with someone special. They can share what they are doing with their summer and other important points. Make sure they address and post the letter to get practice with this important skill. Combine traditional letter writing with emailing a letter to help with keyboarding skills.

Out & About

Have a Yard Sale
If you want to get rid of old toys and clothes, the summer is the time to do it. With the help of the kids you can price and sort everything, make signs, setup tables and on the day of the sale the kids can be in charge. Plan in advance what percentage the kids will earn and they can do the math at the end of the day.

Pick a Navigator
Around town or on long trips your children can learn about their world by becoming your helper. Before you leave the house ask them to plan out the route using a map and let them guide you as you make your way to your destination. Ask them to keep track of expenses and mileage.

Send your kids to camp
Whether you pick a day camp or an overnight camp you can find a theme that will fit well with each of your children. From science to dance and everything in between your kids will have fun and will be learning too.

Go Grocery Shopping
Take a shopping helper with you each time you get groceries. The kids can help create the list, check local flyers for sales and keep you on budget while going through the store. Give them a calculator and see how much they learn about feeding a family.

Go Swimming
If your child doesn’t already know how to swim, the summer is a great time to teach them. Family swims offer time together and a chance to build on this important skill. You may also want to consider formal swimming lessons. Many schools offer swimming programs, so you will want your child to be prepared.