Summer is here! While the children are excited and running free all day, many parents are worried that they will lose much of what they have learned over the last school year. There are some things that you can do over the summer to ensure that your child does not lose all of the information they have learned and that they are ready for the next school year.
Set Time Aside for Learning
Try to make time daily for learning. This time does not need to be hours long or super intense. Just 20 to 30 minutes per day is more than enough to keep those juices flowing without stealing all of their summer joy.
Work on 3 to 4 Math Problems Per Day
It may come off as taxing to your child initially, but making sure that they brush up on those math skills is crucial over the summer. Much of what they learn in math builds on previous information. Try to have your child practice everyday with just a few math problems in varying areas (algebra, geometry, etc.). You can easily gather problems and free worksheets offline or you can go to a local bookstore and purchase a workbook. Speak to your child’s teacher to see if he/she has any recommendations if you are unsure.
Read Daily
Reading comprehension is so important, particularly when it comes to those daunting standardized tests. You can create activities on your own using books that they enjoy or once again you can purchase a workbook specifically designed to work on comprehension.
Write! Write! Write!
Students do not always get the opportunity to write creatively in school. There is so much demanded of them that they sometimes forget how to be creative in their writing. Unleash their inner genius and have them write several times a week. Perhaps you can have them work on creating their very own storybook, they could even do the illustrations. By the end of the summer they could have a masterpiece that you can have printed!
Focus on the Problem Areas
Most students have an area or two of weakness. The summer is the perfect time to tackle those areas without the stress of homework assignments and tests. Consider hiring a tutor to work with your child once or twice a week in these areas. You could also purchase materials that they can work. Be sure to make it fun and interesting, after all it is the summer!
Summer is a fun time and it should be! Your child will only be in school and have those wonderful summers off for a short period of time. Let them have fun, but also let them learn!
