UsMomsToday~The savvy moms resource for budget & time saving tips~
Summer Education LossBy: Jennifer Hale
Research shows that most children experience some type of learning loss over summer vacation. This can vary significantly by grade level, subject matter and the family income of the child.
To compensate for the loss, the first month of school is generally a review of the last grade completed and most children will pick up quickly where they left off, but for others this can be a difficult task. However, studies show that children who continue to read over summer months actually gain skills and that taking your child to the library on a regular basis can help significantly. Also, reviewing your child’s latest report card or progress report will help determine the areas you need to focus summer learning on.
Encourage your child to read by subscribing to children’s magazines or reading the same books along with them and make it part of your daily dinner discussion. Sign them up for summer camps, library reading programs, or community education classes through your local school system. You can also pick up workbooks , educational videos and computer games at libraries, book stores or teacher supply stores. Teach them to make scrapbooks, keep journals or even let them help balance your checkbook.
Parents should also realize that children need free time in the summer
to relax and enjoy themselves so keep the summer reading fun. Remember, with a little creativity even the seemingly humdrum of everyday life can be transformed into exciting learning experiences.
