We made it.
After long hours and days encouraging (sometimes threatening) our children to finish homework, tests, quizzes, and projects, our kids have completed another school year. (Let all the mommas cheer).
As parents, we want to embrace lazy days. You know those days where our children stay up late, play video games for hours, and chill out watching tv. After all, those lazy days are needed just as much for us parents as it is for kids.
But we can’t let all our children have learned start to deteriorate. We have to do our part to prevent that summer slump.
So what a summer slump anyway?
A summer slump is when children experience a loss in what they learned during the school year. When they are not actively using their reading and math skills, children could lose an ENTIRE month’s worth of learning.
Just think, on average
• Student can lose up to two months of reading and math skills over the summer.
• Teachers spend an average of 4-6 RETEACHING material student forgot due to summer slump.
That’s a pretty big drop.
Now, I am not suggesting you create an all day structured learning environment at home (although some routine and structure are needed). It is summer after all! Instead, I am talking about intentionally providing learning opportunities for our children to grow and keep their academic skills sharp.
So let’s keep the summer slump away by keeping our children learning all summer long with these three easy steps.
Keep them reading
Ways to keep your kid reading all summer long
- Read the book THEN watch the movie
- Let children choose their books
- Read aloud: Taking the time to read aloud to your children aids them with expanding their interaction with texts.
- Reading programs: Several businesses like Barnes and Noble and Pizza Hut have free reading programs which reward children for reading. Our fellas have participated in both reading programs for years.
- Visit your public library: Stock up on free high-interest books and participate in free events for children of all ages.
- Online resources: Various resources like Kindle Unlimited, Audible, and even your public library have tons of online book options. This is particularly helpful for children who read through numerous books and when traveling.
- Cooking: Encourage your child to read you the directions
Keep them moving
Keeping our children moving seems easy, right?
Wrong.
As much as they look forward to that summer break, excitement can quickly turn into complaints of boredom. With the scorching heat, it’s easy for our kids to get stuck inside sitting around playing video games or lounging around watching tv. One important way to keep our children from experiencing a summer slump is to find everyday ways to keep our child off the couch and active. They need fun activities that encourage their creativity and keep their minds engaged.
Ways to keep your kid moving all summer long
- Family exercise
- Go for walks together
- Dancing
- Summer camps: Whether it’s basketball or LEGOs, consider finding local summer camps to engage your child’s interest and mind.
- Visit local parks: Most local parks have trails, playgrounds, and scenery to explore.
- Create nature scavenger hunts
- Community Service: Find ways to give back in your local community from serving at nursing homes, food banks, or community centers.
- Build together
- Plant a garden
- Repurpose old furniture
Keep them learning
To keep math and reading skills up-to-date, children need to actively practice. Creating a summer schedule which includes time for fun and learning is essential. Every day our fellas are responsible for completing various learning activities of their choice. You don’t have to be an educator to keep your kid learning. There are all sorts of resources to help keep your kid learning.
Ways to keep your kid learning all summer long
- Create screen-free activities
- Write an essay
- Research a favorite athlete, team, author, food, etc
- Practice cursive
- Learn a language
- Keep a summer journal
- Visit local art galleries & museums
- Write a letter to a family member or someone in the military
Here are a few practice workbooks to help you get started (note these are affiliate links)
- Summer Bridge Activities – Grades 3-4
- Summer Bridge Activities – Grades 4-5
- Summer Bridge Activities – Grades 5-6
- Summer Bridge Activities – Grades 6-7
Summertime is an excellent opportunity to keep reading, keep moving, and keep learning. Be willing to be creative, be consistent, and have FUN.
Have a great summer,
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