As the school year comes to and end and summer vacation gets into full swing, there is more on parents' minds than just keeping the kids entertained for the summer. How do we keep them smart? Research shows that the concerns of "Summer Learning Loss" are valid. Most students lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in computation skills over the summer months.

Here is a list of activities and ideas for you to help keep your kids on the right track and maybe even ahead of the game for the next school year.

·      Time 4 Learning – Time 4 Learning offers great online curriculum, most commonly used by homeschooling parents but also with summer study as well. You can target the lesson to your child’s age and grade and even keep track of their progress. Time 4 Learning can be a great alternative to summer school or just a way to keep your kids learning throughout the summer. It costs $19.95 a month (they offer a discount if you sign up more than one child), but they do offer a 14-day money back guarantee. It’s really not a huge price to pay to have an entire wealth of lesson plans on every subject to last you through the summer. A Google search will show you many other sites that are out there and free, but Time 4 Learning has a stellar reputation for keeping kids educated and ahead the game.

 

·      Summer Reading Programs – Most city libraries offer some sort of summer reading program. Kids can earn points and prizes depending on how many books they read. Libraries usually include programs for kids who aren’t reading but that can be done at home with Mom or Dad. For kids who are readers, this is the best and cheapest way to keep them reading through the summer and excited about it. Contact your local library to find our details.

 

·      Gardening – This might sound strange right off the bat, but gardening will hit more than two birds with one stone. Make every aspect of the garden a learning experience. Include your kids from beginning to end. Get books from the library to help research what flowers or fruits and vegetables grow best where you live. Have the kids take pictures throughout the process for the whole summer and keep a journal about the garden’s progression. And of course if you are growing vegetables such as tomatoes or cucumbers, you can add a whole new lesson into the mix by taking the freshly harvested veggies and making pickles out of the cucumbers or ketchup out of the tomatoes. You can find hundreds of easy recipes for both. Then celebrate Labor Day by barbecuing some hamburgers topped with your own homemade pickles and ketchup.

 

·      Scrapbooking Their Summer - Another fun way to keep your child learning AND entertained is by have them take pictures and write about everything they do through the summer in a scrapbook. This is a great way to make a memento of the summer and, for younger kids, have them work on handwriting, reading, and cognitive skills.

 

·      Travel - You don't have to take extravagant vacations: just simply take in what your local area has to offer. Museums, parks, hiking trails, and aquariums are all great learning experiences for kids. Many have great discounts and deals if you go midweek during the summer. You can also check online to find discount coupons for the local attractions in your area.



Meghan Harvey is sometimes a preschool teacher, always a mom and a weekly contributor to Life360. If there is anytime left she writes on her personal blog Meg's Idle Chatter .

See Also:

-Traveling with Children: Tips You Need to Know

-Summer Camp or Free Range Kids?