Summer is almost here...
It's hard to believe, isn't it? Another school year come and gone. I've been quiet because my oldest dd just graduated. Been pretty hectic around here, with all the celebrations and all. But hopefully now I can get back on track and give you some fun ideas to keep your kids learning all summer long.
And that's what we're aiming for, isn't it? Just because school is out doesn't mean that learning should grind to a halt. Study after study has shown that if academic skills are not practiced regularly over the summer, kids actually regress with their skill level. Teachers know this and often the first several weeks of school are spent in review! You can give your kids a head start simply by having them use their brains a bit over the next few months. Believe me, it's well worth the effort and even the occasional fight.
You probably won't have much luck with sitting them down to do traditional book work unless you become the schoolwork enforcer. However, there are ways to sort of sneak the learning in while they're not looking. Those are the types of activities that you're looking for and those are the types of activities that you'll find here. Not everything will suit everyone, but chances are good that you'll find something a few times a week that will intrigue your kids, or that something I say will spark an idea of your own.
And without further ado, here is one to try:
Go on a photo scavenger hunt! Make a list of things for your child to snap pictures of. This can be as simple as names of objects or items in your yard or neighborhood, or it can be trickier. Try riddles, making an alphabet book, taking pictures of items of certain sizes or shapes, or other creative groupings. Match the level of difficulty with your child's needs. Arm the kids with cameras-the digital kind, the disposable kind, or whatever you have around the house. If you have more than one child, try a competition. Or make the game cooperative. The finished products can be gathered into a scrapbook for even more learning fun.
And that's what we're aiming for, isn't it? Just because school is out doesn't mean that learning should grind to a halt. Study after study has shown that if academic skills are not practiced regularly over the summer, kids actually regress with their skill level. Teachers know this and often the first several weeks of school are spent in review! You can give your kids a head start simply by having them use their brains a bit over the next few months. Believe me, it's well worth the effort and even the occasional fight.
You probably won't have much luck with sitting them down to do traditional book work unless you become the schoolwork enforcer. However, there are ways to sort of sneak the learning in while they're not looking. Those are the types of activities that you're looking for and those are the types of activities that you'll find here. Not everything will suit everyone, but chances are good that you'll find something a few times a week that will intrigue your kids, or that something I say will spark an idea of your own.
And without further ado, here is one to try:
Go on a photo scavenger hunt! Make a list of things for your child to snap pictures of. This can be as simple as names of objects or items in your yard or neighborhood, or it can be trickier. Try riddles, making an alphabet book, taking pictures of items of certain sizes or shapes, or other creative groupings. Match the level of difficulty with your child's needs. Arm the kids with cameras-the digital kind, the disposable kind, or whatever you have around the house. If you have more than one child, try a competition. Or make the game cooperative. The finished products can be gathered into a scrapbook for even more learning fun.
posted by Sandy @ 5:23 AM
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