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INFORMATION FOR PARENTS: INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATING ACTIVITIES FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS

Written by Nicole Weaver

With summer in full swing, what are you doing to keep your school aged children sharp over the summer break?

Did you know research has shown that if you don't keep your child's brain working during this interlude; he/ she could lose, on average, 2.6 months of grade-level equivalency in math skills and as much as a year's reading level?

Remember kids need time for relaxation too, so try incorporating a mixture of academics with a healthy dose of fun. The first thing you must do is to let your child engage in activities that are of interest to him/her.  The last thing you need is resistance as this will prove to be counterproductive.  Here are a few examples:

If your child loves science- Museums, zoos and other attractions usually offer educational programs as part of a tour or visit.

If your child loves the outdoors- Encourage your child to learn about the wildlife or plants indigenous to the area where you live. Use the Internet to look up native plants and animals, and then check them off as you spot them during a visit to the zoo or museum. 

Plan your summer trip with an educational theme- Are you financially able to go on a vacation?  If so, recruit your child to help plan where you are going to go.  For example, my youngest will be taking level three Spanish next fall.  He asked if we could go back to Cancun, Mexico.  He wants to be able to practice his Spanish.   An added perk- when he visits the Mayan Ruins, he will be taking ton of pictures, and he will be doing a report on his visit.  He plans on submitting the report for extra credit to his Spanish teacher.  Lastly, you can encourage your child to read books about where you're going before you leave.

Turn any activity at home into a teachable moment- Do you have a special hobby or interest?  You can teach your children about that hobby.  My mother was a professional seamstress, and she taught me how to sew.   How about cooking?  Teaching your child how to cook is a good way   to practice math concepts such as measuring and figuring out fractions.

Sign up for a summer book club: It is imperative to encourage your child to read.  Recreational reading is one of the easiest ways to help your child retain what he or she learned without using textbooks and workbooks.  Your local library has summer reading programs where kids can earn some great prizes for reading a certain number of books.

For older children: Many universities offer free online courses.  Some of the classes can be downloaded onto an iPod for easier use.

Following these simple steps will ensure that your child will remain up to speed and be ready for school in the fall.

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