For many students summer is a time to rest, play with friends and simply be a kid. However, as fun as it is to simply sit back and relax the day away, last year’s learning has a tendency to slip away. Students can lose over two months of learning during the summertime. The Kids Count Data Center article, “Early Warning! Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters” uncovers the realities of child development detailing the necessity for children to switch from learning to read from Kindergarten until third grade, to reading to learn once they begin fourth grade. Visit the Annie E. Casey Kids Count Data Center to learn more.
To help prevent the summer brain drain in your house, try mixing fun and learning in a way that makes parents, students and their teachers happy!
Choosing books that parents and kids enjoy is a great start. This site has great summer reading recommendations with lists tailored to certain interests or age-ranges which make navigating through all the titles much easier. Another way to keep brains engaged is to have your kids write letters or send postcards from all the wonderful places you’ll visit this summer. Not only will they be able to share stories about their adventures, but children can enjoy the thrill of sending and receiving letters from friends and family while they learn important skills. If writing gets them excited you can also visit ReadWriteThink. This website has some great ideas to get kids reading and writing, such as writing your own sports trivia questions as well as literacy resources for parents and educators.
Lastly, if you just need to get out of the house, check out Pottery Barn Kids Book Club. Pottery Barn is hosting story time events every Tuesday with a special gift on a child’s fifth visit. This is a great summer activity where kids can get their 30 minutes of reading in, and have a fun time meeting others in the community while learning!
Regardless of your child’s interests, it is vital to encourage summer learning. These resources provide book lists, activities, events, games, challenges and more to ensure that summer learning stays fun and rewarding for everyone.