Summer is a time for kids to unwind, relax and enjoy being a kid.  However, kids do lose a lot of the knowledge they gained during the school year if learning doesn't remain part of their everyday life.  For example, on average children will lose approximately 2.6 months of their grade level equivalency in mathematics.  Teachers typically spend the first 4-6 weeks of a school year re-teaching what the children learned the previous year and lost during the summer.

No child (or parent for that matter) wants to spend all summer feeling like they are still in school.  It is important for parents to come up with creative ways to keep their children learning but still having fun at the same time.  You don't have to spend a ton of money on expensive summer camps and programs.  Summer learning can be inexpensive or even free!

Here are a few ideas for some fun summer learning: 

  • Use your local library.  Most libraries have free (or very inexpensive) children's programs.  Or you can just simply create a family summer reading challenge.
  • Create fun learning activities for your children such as scavenger hunts.
  • Use your local zoo, science center and museums as fun learning environments.  Come up with little games or learning activities for your children before you head out.  For example count the number of mammals we see at the zoo, find the space area of the science center and learn something new to share with the family at dinner tonight.
  • Find some kid-friendly online websites that use games to help kids learn math skills, language skills, reading, etc.  These can be great for rainy days!
  • Check with your local school board to see if they offer any summer programs.

Those are just a few of the ideas I came up with.  Get your kids involved in the process.  They will have fun thinking up fun, learning-rich activities for the summer.  The key is to make learning fun so they don't even know they aren't just playing!  

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