Within 24 to 48 hours after learning new concepts, students often
begin to forget information unless it is reinforced or applied immediately. That’s
why, during summer break, even the best students forget lessons they have
learned during the school year.
While a break from school is great for recharging your children’s batteries,
if students aren’t using the skills they acquired in the classroom, they could
find themselves lagging behind once the school bell rings again. Sylvan
Learning Center, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at
home to students of all ages and skill levels, offers recommendations to
inspire academic discovery when away from the classroom.
Writing
To help writing
skills, encourage your child to start a diary or write letters to a grandparent
or friend. If you are traveling on a vacation, ask your child to keep a travel
journal recording where you stayed and what you did. At the end of every day,
talk through the activities with your child and help him or her with a journal.
It not only improves writing skills, but also creates great family memories.
Mathematics
Helping mom or dad
with grocery shopping develops opportunities to use math skills, such as making
change, weighing fruits and vegetables, etc. Providing assistance with cooking
can also familiarize children with weights and measures, organization and
planning and following a recipe. Perhaps you and your children could make a
special dessert for the whole family. Help children pick a recipe, create an
ingredients list and go shopping together.
Reading
You
can’t start too early. You can’t read too much. Reading to young children
nurtures an interest in language, words and communication. For older kids,
reading together can be fun and interesting. Children also learn by example. If
parents are setting time aside to read, it reinforces the fun and enjoyment of
reading. Local libraries offer infinite resources for children. Librarians can
recommend books appropriate for your child’s reading level and interests, and
many libraries offer free children’s programs and clubs.
Research
There
are an abundance of sites that provide summer reading lists for children. At www.bookadventure.com,
children (K-8) create personalized books lists from more than 7,000 recommended
titles, take quizzes on the books they’ve read at school or at home, and earn
prizes for their reading comprehension. The program is designed to motivate
students to read more often, for longer periods of time and with greater
understanding.
Analysis and Logic
Many
family games and puzzles are not only fun, but help children to develop and
reinforce skills. A simple card game can involve mathematics, analysis and
logical thinking. Be sure to select games appropriate for your child's age
level.
Summer Enrichment Programs -
There
are many enrichment activities available for children when school is out-of-session.
Sylvan Learning Center offers engaging programs that keep the interest and fun
in learning alive through the summer and into the school year. Visit http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/academic-camps/index.cfm
for additional information.
For additional educational resources for children in grades pre-K through
12, visit
www.tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/learning-for-parents/index.cfm
or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.
