5 ways for kids to keep learning at home over summer break
May 26
As summer break begins, continuous learning can highly benefit students as they settle into a new routine. Parents don’t need to create a strict classroom environment for kids to keep learning at home though. Keeping your child engaged can be simple and fun, from reading new books to visiting the library.
Here are five simple ways to keep your child learning this summer:
1. Promote reading. Whether it’s at bedtime or for 20 minutes a day at a set time, reading is a great way to continue expanding your child’s vocabulary. There are many ways to make reading activities fun, like taking trips to the library or bookstore to pick out new books.
2. Practice math facts. As a 3rd-grade teacher, I often see some regression with the fluency of math facts at the beginning of the school year, since it usually has been out of sight and out of mind for the summer. Have your child create flashcards to practice in the car during a road trip, or engage in fun math facts games online. If they master addition and subtraction, try challenging them by introducing multiplication!
3. Continue routines. Your bedtime routines do not have to be as rigid during the summer since your children may not have to follow a specific schedule. However, allowing your child to stay up all night and sleep the days away will only make it harder for them to get back on track when the next school year begins. Children thrive on routine, so even if you’re allowing later bedtimes, keeping them consistent and adjusting them ahead of the start of school will benefit your child.
4. Plan screen-free time. It’s no news that our children love TV or playing games on their devices during breaks. It is important for us as parents to plan some creative activities or outdoor time to give their eyes and minds a break from the screens. These activities do not have to be incredibly time-consuming or thought out. They can be as simple as introducing a drawing and coloring hour on a picnic table outside or walking the dog after dinner.
5. Look into extra activities. Be sure to search for additional learning opportunities in your area. There are many summer activities to choose from, allowing you to find the ones that better suit your child’s interests and your schedules. Libraries are a great resource and often have story times and craft times that are usually provided at no cost. Dance studios, museums, city pools, gyms, they all usually host events and classes too.
Arizona PBS offers even more resources to help keep your child engaged this summer, including educational content on AZPBS LearningMedia and exciting games on PBS KIDS Games.
In what ways do you plan to encourage continuous learning through the rest of summer break? Share your ideas with us at Arizona PBS Kids on Facebook.
About the author
Marissa Will is the mother of two, Olivia (8) and Logan (7). Writing was her first passion: she’s a freelance writer and a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication alumna. Will is currently educating the future leaders of tomorrow: She has spent over 10 years educating third graders, with a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University-Yuma.
