Summer is a Child’s Opportunity to Learn

Skills and knowledge gained throughout the school year fade during the summer months.  According to research, loss of content retention begins within 24 to 48 hours of learning unless the new information is reinforced or applied immediately.  After a month without reinforcement, approximately 80 percent of what a student has recently learned can be lost.

A break from school is great for recharging your children’s batteries, but if they aren’t using the skills and knowledge that was learned in the classroom, they could find themselves lagging behind when school starts up again.

For children who have been struggling at school, summer can be their opportunity to catch-up on key skills and feel more confident when they head back to class.  For students who do well, it’s an opportunity to keep their enthusiasm for learning high.

Parents can play a key role in reinforcing learning on an ongoing basis.  Below is a list of practical tips for integrating continuous learning into fun, family activities all summer long:

Checklist: Summer Fun That’s Educational, Too

Read with your child.  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.  Parents can even turn Harry Potter or Twilight mania into a learning opportunity.  Read the books together with your children and ask questions about the plot and characters.

Search for reading activities on the Internet and create a reading list.  There are an abundance of sites that provide summer reading lists for children. At www.BookAdventure.com, children (grades K-8) create personalized books lists from more than 7,500 recommended titles, take quizzes on the books they’ve read at school or at home, and earn points towards small prizes for understanding the books they’ve read. The program is designed to motivate students to read more often, for longer periods of time and with greater understanding.

Plan a field trip.  Plan a trip to an interesting site close to home - an historic site, a museum, the zoo, etc.  Research the trip in advance with your child and discuss it afterwards.

Find pen pals.  Encourage your child to write notes and letters to family members and friends as a way of practicing writing.

Plan a meal together.  Helping mom or dad with the regular grocery shopping and meal preparation creates opportunities to use math skills such as making change, weighing fruits and vegetables, etc.

Visit the library.  Libraries can recommend books appropriate for your child’s reading level and interests, and many libraries offer free children’s programs.

Keep a journal.  Give your child an empty notebook to keep a summer journal. Regular entries will keep writing skills active. 

Summer enrichment programs.  There are a variety of enrichment programs available for children.  Find an engaging program that keeps the interest and fun in learning alive through the summer and into the school year, while being personalized to the needs of your child.

Checklist: Making Your Home a Year-Round Place for Learning

Work area.  Set up a simple table or desk in a well-lit area.  Add a supply of pens, pencils, markers and paper and you’re set.

Reference materials.  Make sure you have a dictionary, atlas and other resource materials available so your child can research information.

Your example.  Parents can help encourage learning activities by example.  Read with your children.  Discuss trips and experiences.  Keep your own daily journal.

Mark B. Kance, M.A.T. is the Executive Director of the Sylvan Learning of Hamilton Township, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels.  With over 30 years of experience and over 700 centers location throughout North America and Canada, Sylvan's proven process and personalized methods have inspired more than 2 million students develop the skills, habits and attitudes needed for lifelong success.  Sylvan also helps bolster self-esteem by focusing on strategies for success and providing consistent positive reinforcement to demonstrate that learning is its own reward.  For more educational resources for children in grades PreK through 12, please visit www.SylvanLearning.com or 800-EDUCATE