Tips To Promote Learning All Summer Long

Between the end of one school year and the start of the next every student risks summer learning loss. With the final bell right around the corner, this is a weighty topic on every parent and educator’s mind.

What activities are best for your summer learner?

Whether your child loves to read, play outside, or get techy, there are many fun but effective ways to promote learning over the break. Since the summer will be here before you know it, it’s a great idea to start planning now what activities you’ll use to avoid summer learning loss. Our quick tips can help!

Studies show that reading four to five books over the summer has a positive impact comparable to summer school enrolment. Plus, this gives your child a chance to choose books that he or she is interested in, keeping the activity fun and interesting too!

Ways to incorporate reading into your summer plans

• Take a trip to your local library
• Bring a book with you to the park or the beach
• Read a chapter in the morning, when your child is used to learning and before other plans cause distraction

Use these ideas to make reading an enjoyable pastime for both you and your child.

Children are at risk of losing more than just academic knowledge during the summer – physical fitness levels also take a hit. Encouraging physical activity all summer long will help your child stay at peak mental form, as physical health is known to enhance academic performance.

Ways to incorporate physical activity into your summer plans

• Sign your child up for a team sport
• Encourage learning a new skill such as swimming
• Go on walks and explore your city

Be sure to take advantage of all the different opportunities to get outside and get active.

The use of technology offers many opportunities to encourage summer learning. Through promoting vital skills like problem solving and critical thinking, educational games are a valuable way to allow technology to your summer learner.

Ways to incorporate educational technology into your summer plans

• Challenge your child to a new high score on an educational app
• Start a tech project together – like a toy robotics kit
• Teach kids through your own tasks – ie. baking a cake, or fixing a bicycle

Between 65,200 educational apps, various tech-based toys, and even just household activities, there are an endless supply of tech projects to use to encourage summer learning for your child.

Source: Oxford Learning