Monday, June 10, 2013

Summer tips to stay sharp

Ahhh! Summer. A time to relax and enjoy those lazy days filled with trips to the
park, family vacations and backyard barbecues, right? Not so fast! Summer can
entail more than just a change from the usual routine. For children, it can mean
a serious loss of learning. Research shows that many children experience a
‘summer slump’ and can lose about four weeks of growth from the previous
school year. However, there are many things a parent can do to keep their
child’s brain active. Here are a few ideas recommended by experts to help
prevent the dreaded ‘brain drain.’

Read between the lines. Have your child join the local library’s summer
reading program or start their own reading program or book club. They can set
a goal for reading so many books and even keep track on a book ‘growth’ chart.
Incorporate reading into everyday activities by pointing out billboards, fliers,
food containers and such. Younger children can play the alphabet game on
longer drives.

Talk the talk. Ask questions about anything and everything, but not the kind
of questions that only illicit “yes” or “no” answers. For instance, ask “What did
you like about…?” Get children talking, and you may be able to turn a normal
experience into a teaching moment.

Got Game? Organize game nights not just for your family, but in the
neighborhood. Play educational games like Scrabble, Uno crossword puzzles,
Sudoku or basic card games. They make for a fun night and reinforce skills such
as memory, concentration, logic and reasoning. They also teach children how to
take turns, and be both a good winner and a good loser.

Vacation your body, not your mind. Going on a trip can be a great time to
expand more than your physical horizons. Use the library and internet to learn
about the destination and its historical sites. Study maps and plot mileage.
It all adds up to fun. According to the National Summer Learning Association,
losing math skills is the biggest threat. Try a number of activities to reinforce
math skills. For instance, look at the measurements in a recipe you’re making
and ask your child to double it. Ask your child to compute the 15% tip on the
restaurant bill, or determine how many gallons of gas are needed to travel the
50 miles to grandma’s house. Make math a part of your everyday life.
Let’s stamp out summer slump when it comes to our Defer Dragons!!