Slide into Summer with Fun Learning Activities

Now that the school year is coming to a close it doesn’t mean that learning stops.  There are so many ways to increase your child’s learning through everyday activities in the home.  Let’s look at a few tips that will keep your child engaged in learning throughout the summer months.

1.       Read with your child everyday: grab a book, any book, and read to your child at least three times a week.  Have your child read to you; another family member, friend, or even the family pet; for 20 minutes each day. Provide different forms of reading material: newspapers, magazines, cereal boxes, daily mail items, etc.   By showing that reading is a natural part of the day, you will plant the seeds for a lifetime of reading for your child.

2.      Encourage friendship outside of school:  give your child multiple experiences of interacting with other children in play groups, clubs, summer activity groups, camps, sport teams, and Vacation Bible Schools.  These experiences will strengthen your child’s emotional, mental, and physical development.  By engaging in group activities outside of the home, you are helping your child develop the necessary team building skills that will carry over back in the classroom setting.

3.      Bring learning into the kitchen:  why not bake a cake or cookies and have your child learn about measurement, following directions, and sequential order.  All of these skills are important in comprehension strategies; so you will be helping your child through involving him/her through practical steps in cooking.

4.      Visit local attractions: visit your community library for summer events and special guest attractions.   Check out an aquarium, museum, historical park, or other local venues that will help to increase your child’s cultural learning experiences.

5.      Teach your child to be responsible:  if your child doesn’t cleanup for himself at home, he/she is more likely to be messy at school.  Teach him/her to stow away toys, make the bed, take out the trash, and wash dishes.  Every house whole could use a little extra help and every child is old enough to start doing their part in the daily chores.  When this starts at home, keeping a clean desk at school won’t seem like such a big deal.

6.      Do step-by-step teaching at home:  make sure you have your child’s attention when you are giving step-by-step directions.  Give clear instructions for your little one to follow.  This will help your child to learn to follow directions and to listen to instructions.  Praise your child for good listening and following directions when the job is accomplished.

By following these simple tips during the summer months, you will be helping your child to experience learning opportunities that will carry over into the classroom next fall.  Have fun learning with your child this summer.  Every opportunity in life can be a learning experience that can be treasured by the whole family.  Enjoy your time together and stay safe and healthy.