Summer Learning:
8 Fun Ways to Keep Your Kids Learning All Summer Long
Most kids look forward to three months of nothing but fun and games,
but, as a parent, you know that learning should take place year round.
And while it can be hard to get your child's attention among all the
swimming pools, video games and television shows that they'd rather be
spending their time on, it's important that you keep the learning going
(at least at some level) during the summertime. That way, when they
return to school in the fall, they'll be enriched and ready to learn.
Here are eight fun ways to keep your kids learning all summer long,
including some educational websites your kids will love.
1. Ready, set, read! Start your summer learning
adventure by heading to your local library. Most libraries offer reading
programs each summer that challenge your child to read. They may have
flyers to help your child stay on track and reading suggestions divided
by age group. Taking a weekly trip to the local library will be a great
family activity to look forward to each week. You may also want to treat
your kids to a new book. (Check here for
coupons to the
Scholastic Book Warehouse.)
2. Find educational videos. Instead of letting your
child sit in front of video games all summer long, why not make the
process educational? There are many educational computer games and games
for video game systems that allow your child to have fun and can help
them keep up to date with their basic skills at the same time. Keep in
mind though that too many computer games, educational or not, will
reduce your child's activity level, so make sure to use the video games
in moderation.
3. Check out some free learning websites for kids.
Three to try: Funbrain.com, math.com and abcteach.com (which has
printable worksheets). If your kids prefer online communities, try
Webkinz.com, which requires the purchase of a webkinz toy;
ClubPenguin.com, which is geared for 6 to 14 year olds and is free to
play but also has activities that required a paid membership; and
WhyVille.net, a free online community for pre-teen and teen boys and
girls.
Here are more product reviews and ideas for educational tools:
Free World Geography Software:
Seterra Learn Geography Freeware
State Study: 50 States Complete Notebooking Set
Rocket Spanish
Parents Young at Art
Enchanted Learning
4. Visit local landmarks. Summer is a perfect
time to discover, or re-discover, the unique learning opportunities in
your neighborhood. If you haven't been to the local museum or other
historic location within driving distance of your home, now is the time
to do it. Make sure to talk about the history, science or other subject
you'll be learning about so your kids can get the most out of the
experience. Big metropolitan museums, zoos or landmarks are also great
destinations during the summer. Even though gas is expensive, a road
trip every now and then may be just what the teacher ordered.
5. Treat everyone to a fun workbook. Allow each of your
children to choose a comprehensive workbook that they can work on a bit
each day. Some workbooks cover math, reading, social studies and
science. You might want to work out an incentive program to make sure
they get their worksheets done each day. For example, each worksheet
equals one ticket. Once they reach five tickets, everyone is rewarded
with a few hours at the pool or a run through the sprinklers.
6. Get your game on. Play some educational,
age-appropriate games, such as Scrabble, Boggle or chess. Purchase some
family favorites in travel editions so the kids can play them on car
rides and on vacation.
7. Get ready for the next grade level. Learning during
summer vacation can also take a more formal role in your child's life.
If there was a subject your kids struggled with during the school year,
now is the time to get tutoring or enroll them in a program to help them
catch up. Make the experience fun by balancing their study time with
some good old-fashioned family fun.
8. Vacation is the perfect time for sharing non-traditional
lessons with your child that expose them to concepts they won't
find in regular school. If they learned about plants this year in
school, help them plant their own garden so they can see the concepts in
action. Reinforce their knowledge of fractions and measurements by
having daily or weekly cooking lessons with you in your kitchen. Many
schools have had to cut back on arts and music, so summer gives you the
perfect opportunity to let your child's creative side flourish.
If you tried to pack all of these ideas into one summer, you'd have a
tired kid on your hands! Pick a few to try and keep the learning going
throughout summer. By making learning fun, your child won't realize they
are learning at all.