What Can/Should Parents Do to Keep Their Children Involved with Academics During the Summer?

School’s out! It’s time to run and play – and study, too. What? Studying in the summertime? It’s true that kids have been working hard all year at learning and deserve a break. But, that doesn’t mean that learning should completely stop during the summer months. A fair balance between learning and summer fun will allow a child to have fun, as well as help to prevent summer brain drain. So, what can/should parents do to keep children involved in academics during the summer? Here are a few simple ideas for parents to use.

Read Something Daily

Children need to read something every day. Reading daily keeps the brain focused. Good reading skills will help with learning success in all subject areas. In fact, reading is one of very few activities that help to produce new brain cells. Reading comprehension is required to comprehend just about every other school subject, including math. Not only will lessons and instructions need to be read and understood, but the better a child can decode in reading, the better his or brain can decode in other areas. This is why reading comprehension is so important. Oftentimes, deficiencies in other areas can be traced back to reading and math. Daily reading practice keeps the child's reading level current, as well as helps increase reading and comprehension levels.

Enroll in Online Summer Learning Programs

Online summer learning programs are a great way to keep children involved in learning through the summer. Online learning programs often are designed with convenience in mind. Because they can be taken at anytime, academics do not have to interfere with summer vacation. This way, the child can learn and keep the brain active, while still enjoying the summer.

There also is no worry, time, or stress related to transportation. Online summer learning programs can be done right in the comfort of your own home. This saves time and money and is much more convenient when allotting time for summer fun. These programs often can be customized according to a child's specific level, as well as the type of practice that is needed. Some children may need review, while others simply need to master the skills learned or prepare for the upcoming school year.

Coordinate Summer Learning Programs with Family Fun

Just as parents should do throughout the school year, coordinating a child's lessons with family fun can be a great help. Parents should be attentive to what the child is learning and incorporate that into family fun. For instance, if a child is learning about how to manage money and finances and the family is going camping soon, allow the child to compile a supply list for a family camping trip, including the costs. Give the child a set budget to stick to and a basic idea of things that may be needed. Then, allow the child to accompany you when purchasing the items. The child can pick out the items according to budget, as well as pay for the items. There are many ways to incorporate what a child learns in summer programs into fun family events. This can make the learning process fun and keep that brain working.