GETTING YOUR KIDS BACK IN THE SCHOOL MINDSET
As students plan to go back to school in the next few weeks, studies show that they will be on average, roughly one month behind where they performed in the spring, particularly in math.
As we progress deeper into the dog days of summer, there is no better time to start creating opportunities for your children to use their brain-power and keep those thinking skills sharp!
A few fun ideas to get your family inspired and maybe learn something together:
Read together. Students often read less during the summer months. Reading can be a fun and easy way to keep your brain engaged. Check out the local library. Sometimes libraries have free children’s reading programs that your family can be involved in. It is also a great opportunity for the librarian to suggest age-appropriate reading material that matches your child’s particular interests.
Experiment with Science. Science can really be fun for kids, especially when applied to everyday life. Check out a few websites with recommendations on easy experiments to conduct with everyday materials.
Jump into History. Summertime is traditionally family vacation time. While planning the drive to grandma’s house, do some research on fun historical stops along the way. Families can also take inspiration from books, such as the “American Girl” stories – find a historical stop that matches time period of one of the characters your child is reading about and dive in!
Get Campy. There are all sorts of camps that cater to different interests. Check out an educational one that your child can get excited about!
Go Digital. Since your child will likely be glued to his/her computer and/or video game as it is, try introducing educational games that are grade appropriate or teach a skill (e.g., typing). This can be great for math drills or history facts. Kids can get to play on their computers, while also keeping their skills sharp.
