The answer is simply…..YES!
Summer vacation is essentially needed to give both you and your child an opportunity to relax, have fun and take a break from the daily demands of school schedules and homework. However, your child worked hard all school year learning and mastering skills and you want to be sure all that they learned isn’t forgotten. Reviewing skills with them over the summer will help prevent learning loss and will keep them on track for their next school year.
According to the National Summer Learning Association, “If children take a break from learning all summer, they not only miss out on new information and skills, they can lose up to three months’ worth of reading and math skills.” Setting aside 30 minutes to an hour each day to work on academic skills can help your child close learning gaps and perform at higher levels at the start of their upcoming school year.
Summer is an ideal time for children of all ages to build their academic skills and still have plenty of time for fun summer activities.
Here are some suggestions to keep your child’s “Summer School Time” FUN!
1. If you or your child don’t have a Library Card, then get one! You can create a reading chart that gives your child an opportunity to earn bonuses or rewards after reaching goals.
2. Set aside time each day to relax on the couch together reading chapter books. You read so many pages to your child and they read so many to you.
3. Help your child start a “Neighborhood Book Club.”
4. Go on Word Hunts. This can be fun for even your preschool or kindergarten age child. Write each word or sight word on a sticky note and hide them somewhere in your house. Every time your child finds a word, they have to read the word to you. At the end of the game have your child read all the words to you again and then count how many words they found. For the older child you can have them use the word in a sentence or write vocabulary words on the sticky notes and have them say the word, give the meaning and use it in a sentence.
5. Build vocabulary with a Word Jar. Each day your child draws a word from the jar, ask them to define it and challenge them to use the word throughout the day in conversations.
6. Turn card games into Math practice. Using Uno cards, spilt the deck of cards into 2 stacks, place a piece of paper that has an addition, subtraction or multiplication symbol between the two stacks of cards. Have your child flip a card over from each stack, solving the equation that appears. You can step up the competition by changing between addition, subtraction and multiplication each time your child flips over new cards.
7. Make cookies together and turn it into a fun math activity. Then share your cookies with your neighbor or serve at your next Book Club Meeting.
8. You can find so many fun ideas on Pinterest…. have your child look with you and make a Summer Learning List together!
The most important thing to remember is to keep the activities short, fun and offer rewards for reaching goals.
Shawnie Cheatham is the Director of First Presbyterian Eustis Preschool and has over 18 years of preschool experience. The FPC Preschool is one of the most acclaimed and highly rated preschools in the area - a perfect 5/5 online rating. Learn more by clicking here!
