Summer is nearly here again, and many families have already launched into summer break. This is the time of year when we start to hear about how to prevent summer slide (the rollback of learning that can sometimes happen during a long break from school). Here at KITS, we like to talk about how we can make learning fun and part of our everyday routines, even during the less-than-predictable summer season. That said, those in-between times (like summer vacation) are also a great time to start new habits.
Kids typically have a lot of free time during the summer, (which is good!!) that can be harnessed as a very powerful motivator for completing other, more structured, tasks, such as summer learning activities.
It can be helpful to set aside a specific time every day for learning activities, just as you would for a homework routine. Making activities predictable makes it easier for kids (and parents) to stick with them and improves the flow of the day. For example, at our house the children may go out to play with the neighbors after morning chores are done and they have completed their learning activity for the day. Because this is a consistent routine, they always know what to expect and they know what fun lays ahead of them when the morning routine is done.
The following are ideas for summer learning that can be worked into a routine and also used on-the-fly when you feel inspired.
Summer Reading and Book Sharing
Reading and sharing books is one of the best ways to get little ones ready for kindergarten and help older kids keep up their school skills over the summer. Luckily, many libraries host really fantastic and engaging events aimed at encouraging summer reading. If you haven’t yet, pay a visit to your local library to see what they have planned.
Once you have set your intention to make reading and sharing books a priority over the summer, check out our Fun and Easy Tips for Summer Reading for Kids. Consider setting up a Summer Reading Challenge and be sure to check out our infographic: How to Make the Most of Summer Reading. You might want to try out some motivating reading adventures, such as the KITS Reading Treasure Hunt or Reading Bingo. You may also like to use audiobooks to keep summer learning going.
Some kids jump right into summer reading and know exactly what they like to read, and others may need help choosing the right books. These are our favorite sources for inexpensive (or free) books for kids.
Simple Summer Math Activities
You don’t have to be a mathematician to teach your child math skills! If you’re looking to get your child ready for kindergarten or support general math skills over the summer, here are some fun activities you can try:
- Get Visual – early math with graphing
- Pattern Awareness – types of patterns and engaging practice ideas
- Number Awareness – easy early numeracy games
Literacy, Numeracy, and Togetherness, In the Kitchen
Summer is a great time to get into the habit of involving your child in food prep and clean up. Especially when you can Pop Some Learning into Making Popsicles! For more ideas, see our post 5 Reasons to Cook with Kids.
Music, Art, and Movement for Summer Learning
With each passing year, we know more about the importance of incorporating music, art, and movement into our days to support brain development and learning. You may want to try out some of these creative and movement activities with your kids this summer: Rock painting, DIY Home Learning Supply Box, Easy-To-Make Musical Instruments for Kids and 5 Great Activities for Summer Playground Fun.
Social Skills
Strong social skills cannot be overlooked when talking about school readiness. Check out KITS’ 15 Ways to Practice Social Skills with Your Child. Remember to work in lots of unstructured play time for your kids, as certain kinds of play are known to support development and improve self-control.
Take it outside!
Being outdoors is shown to improve mental health and increase our sense of well-being. And so many of our indoor activities can be taken outside in the summer time, from meals, to tablet time, to Legos and other games. KITS has useful tips for Getting Outdoors with Kids and Gardening with Kids. Summertime can also be the perfect time to encourage greater independence. Most importantly, have fun this summer! If you feel inspired by anything on this list, feel free to try it out and let us know how it works for you.
Image: © Chernetskaya | Dreamstime.com
