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How to Make
the Most, Academically, of Your Child’s Summer Break
Does Your
Child Forget Everything He Learned in School, Once Break Arrives?
By: Sylvan
Learning Centers
Within 24 to 48 hours after learning
new concepts, students often begin to forget information unless it
is reinforced or applied immediately. That’s why, during summer
break, even the best students forget lessons they have learned
during the school year.
While a break from school is great for
recharging your children’s batteries, if students aren’t using the
skills they acquired in the classroom, they could find themselves
lagging behind once the school bell rings again. Following are
great ways to help your child continue to learn, in a fun way,
when away from the classroom.
Writing - To help writing
skills, encourage your child to start a diary or write letters to
a grandparent or friend. If you are traveling on a vacation, ask
your child to keep a travel journal recording where you stayed and
what you did. At the end of every day, talk through the
activities with your child and help him or her with a journal. It
not only improves writing skills, but also creates great family
memories.
Mathematics
- Helping mom or dad with
grocery shopping develops opportunities to use math skills, such
as making change, weighing fruits and vegetables, etc. Providing
assistance with cooking can also familiarize children with weights
and measures, organization and planning and following a recipe.
Perhaps you and your children could make a special dessert for the
whole family. Help them pick a recipe, create an ingredients list
and go shopping together.
Reading
- 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. Children
also learn by example. If parents are setting time aside to read,
it reinforces the fun and enjoyment of reading. Local libraries
offer infinite resources for children. Librarians can recommend
books appropriate for your child’s reading level and interests,
and many libraries offer free children’s programs and clubs.
Research
–There are an abundance of sites that provide summer
reading lists for children. At
www.bookadventure.com, children (K-8) create personalized
books lists from more than 7,000 recommended titles, take quizzes
on the books they’ve read at school or at home, and earn prizes
for their reading comprehension. The
program is designed to motivate students to read more
often, for longer periods of time and with greater understanding.
Analysis and Logic
- Many family games and puzzles are not only fun, but help
children to develop and reinforce skills. A simple card game can
involve mathematics, analysis and logical thinking. Be sure to
select games appropriate for your child's age level.
Summer Enrichment Programs -
There are many enrichment activities available for children when
school is out-of-session.
For more educational resources for
children in grades pre-K through 12, please visit
www.educate.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.
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