Summer learning loss is something that happens in most kids as they sit at home over the summer. This means that every year, teachers spend the first 6 weeks of school teaching things their students had learned in the year prior to summer. However, you can prevent summer learning loss by incorporating these simple activities into your summer fun!
25 Simple Ways to Incorporate Summer Learning
- Find bugs and insects in the yard. Have your kids find some insects and do some research on each one they find. This promotes reading, science, and various other skills.
- Have your kids cook. Many people don’t know how cooking with your kids grows their minds by introducing them to fractions, measuring, and chemistry.
- Have screen–free time. Each day, it is important to have time to just sit and read a book. The more you read, the more you learn and the better you get at reading.
- Exercise creativity. Creativity may not seem like something you can learn, but practice makes perfect. Find ways to foster their creativity through art projects, block building, or playing.
- Let them make decisions. Whether you are going to the park, making dinner, or deciding on an activity, give your kids opportunities to make decisions. Fostering decision-making skills help your children feel confident with their learning in school.
- Go on a scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts are fun, but they can also be educational. When kids explore their surroundings, they learn.
- Do science experiments. Did you know making candy was a science experiment? What about mixing paint colors? Science is everywhere around us, and these little things can get your kids learning all summer long.
- Ask lots of questions. Regardless of anything else, your kids are going to have tons of questions to answer in school. Get their critical thinking skills working by asking questions.
- Peak your child’s interest. When it comes to learning, most people learn better when they are interested in something. If your child is interested in superheroes, spend time looking up the first people to write about them. Incorporate their interests into an activity that promotes learning more.
- Give your kid a map. Summer is the perfect opportunity to teach your kids map skills. Whenever you are on a road trip, hand over the map and see where it takes you (you may want to guide the learning).
- Learn about different plants. From thistles and grass to tomatoes and flowers, there are lots of plants you can grow in your yard. Head to the lawn and garden section in your local store and help your kids learn about different plants through hands-on gardening.
- Build something. STEM is becoming a big component in school learning which means your kids are going to need to learn engineering skills. Build something together to foster those engineering skills.
- Use technology educationally. If you can’t get your kids off those screens, don’t fret it. Give them apps that foster their educations such as coding games, math games, or science exploration. There is literally an app for just about anything you can think of.
- Identify wildlife on a camping trip. When you head out into the woods, animals come out to play. Spend time identifying and finding animals on a camping trip.
- Become Steve Irwin and go on an adventure exploring poisonous plants and animals. Of course, you shouldn’t touch these animals, but it can be a thrilling adventure to find out what is poisonous in the land around you.
- Teach simple life skills. You would be surprised how many kids don’t know how to care for themselves. Give your kids life skills by giving them chores throughout the summer.
- Volunteer in the community. Volunteering teaches kids what goes into the community around them. Volunteer at parks, homeless shelters, and community outreach programs.
- Use writing as a form of expression. One of the best ways to get out how we feel is to write them out. Instead of arguing with your kids, allow them to express their thoughts and opinions in writing to you.
- Talk to your kids. In the business of life, having philosophical conversations with opinions and lessons are lacking. Spend time just talking to your kids about things in life.
- Open a savings account with your kids. Saving money is a crucial part of learning life skills. It, also, helps your kids to learn basic math skills. Start a savings account early and teach your kids how to save.
- Let your kids go shopping on a budget. Give your kids a list with a certain amount of money and let them learn to budget. This helps them to know the value of money and add and subtract in their head.
- Play board games. There are many games that incorporate learning both basic skills and life skills. Play educational board games with your kids to keep learning fun and competitive.
- Encourage vocabulary building. You don’t have to teach new vocabulary, just use higher vocabulary when you talk to your kids. For example, if you are confused to tell your kids you are baffled by something. If you are angry, use the word infuriated.
- Go outside and look at the stars. The stars are how we get our calendar, seasons, and so many great things we have today. Go outside and look at the stars; learn the constellations; and talk about how the stars have helped us.
- Watch the moon for the entire summer. A great activity is to watch the moon for the entire summer. Watch it change and track those changes with events in the world. This would be a good science experiment as well.
Summer learning can be incorporated into the everyday things you do with your kids. Instead of just doing, stop and think of ways to make it educational. Ask questions and have fun! What other ways do you incorporate learning into your summer fun? We would love to know in the comments below!
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