Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean your kids have to take a vacation from learning. If you just do some research and use your creativity, you’ll find countless ways to help your children grow in knowledge over their vacation. Regardless of the subject, you can find techniques to make summer learning fun.
Language Arts
- Use summer reading lists – Instead of reading at home, go to the park and have your child read to you books listed on the summer reading list. Make frequent trips to your local library. Take advantage of special children’s reading workshops and story hours.
- Encourage dictionary use - Get your kids into the habit of looking up words they don’t know and then writing a sentence using the new words.
Foreign Languages
Invest in some computer software designed to teach a new language. This is an especially a good idea if you plan to visit a country this summer where the language is spoken. You don’t have to learn an entire language, but only a few words and phrases.
Math
- Study sales – Take your kids to the mall and to the grocery store where they can help you find the best deals. Using a small calculator, have them scout out items on sale.
- Adopt a stock – If you follow the stock market, have them study how the market goes up and down each day. Have them “choose a stock to buy” and then follow it daily. Use online aides for lessons.
Science
- Astronomy – Turn off the TV at night and go outside to study the sky. Check out books out on the constellations, pointing out sites such as the Milky Way and The Big Dipper.
- Museums - Visit science museums where you can take advantage of special rooms designed just for kids.
History
On special holidays such as Independence Day, have your children look up online the history behind July 4th and how it’s not just about beach parties and picnics. Have them present plays on early American colonial life.
Before going to a vacation spot, find materials explaining the history of the area.
Social Studies
If you’re planning a family vacation, this is an excellent time to have your children research travel destinations. Provide web sites where they can go online and collect information about where they’re going and what they can see when there.
Or, if you’re staying close to home, or even at home, you can still “travel the world” without going anywhere. Rent movies about faraway countries and then discuss what they learned. Make posters made from collages of pictures from old magazines and newspapers.
Art
- Art shows – Besides taking your kids to art museums and fine arts festivals have your own art show. Put up a clothesline to display art and then a family art festival where each drawing and/or painting is critiqued in a positive way.
- Community schools – Check out opportunities for art classes at your local community center.
Home Economics
Have your kids get involved helping to plan a meal. Or, give them aprons and invite them to help you bake a cake.
Have them plan a family picnic where they prepare the food (with your supervision, of course.)
Physical Education
- Learn a new sport - Many community centers offer lessons for kids in sports such tennis and swimming. Or send them to summer camps where they can participate in sports.
The bottom line is to make summer learning fun. If they get the idea that learning can be fun, they may just look forward to fall when school reopens.
