![]() Steve Truch is a Canadian educational psychologist who specializes in literacy and learning disabilities. So that’s why I chatted with an expert to get his take on just how important it is for kids to be reading over the summer and how many books should be on their list.ĭr. But I also know it’s important for kids of all ages to keep up with reading over the summer months. I don’t really want to worry about reading and doing math and preparing them for the next school year right now. I’m perfectly okay with letting my kids live on cereal and popsicles all day and saying yes when they want to stay up late.īut there’s also a part of me that feels this slight responsibility for their well-being, which includes their learning. Call us at 1-877-HOPE123 (87) or visit /connect-with-us/ to get connected with care.As a parent in the summer, I’m all about forgetting the rules and schedules. If you need extra support for your child’s mental health, Centerstone is here to help. Summer should be fun, stimulating and enjoyable overall! Remember that a little goes a long way, and you don’t have to overload their brains either. Talking to them about the importance of structure and routine should be a year-long lesson we use to help kids learn as they grow and mature. What’s most important is finding any way to create opportunities for continued learning that are enjoyable. Keeping kids engaged throughout the summer does not have to feel like a chore. Art, music, sports, reading and writing are all great ways to keep kids motivated, engaged and having fun. Find out what your kid really loves and find ways to engage them in activities around them. These activities will spark all sorts of creative thinking and math skills. Use tangible items like Legos, Play Doh or even household items to build forts, houses, obstacle courses or anything else. ![]() Asking them to help plan, shop, cook, and present the meal involves many great skills to keep their brains sharp. Many games include math or counting of some sort, and games for older kids might spark creative thinking, problem solving or teamwork. Teach kids how to play a new board or card game.This will also help your child learn the value of making a difference and putting good into the world. Look for volunteer opportunities in your community.Ask your kids questions about these activities as you do them or have them journal about their experiences. Take small trips to museums, zoos, music venues, parks and more.Many local libraries have reading clubs or programs during summer months that are fun and engaging. ![]() Read! Either read with your kids or create reading challenges for older kids during the summer.Camps provide structure, expectations and can create opportunities for various types of learning that is fun, social and engaging. Niki Grajewski, Clinical Manager at Centerstone, provides some easy and fun tips to keep kids’ brains active. Keeping kids engaged during summer months does not have to be a ‘buzzkill’ all summer long. Keeping kids engaged in some sort of routine and expectations during summer can make the transition back to school easier and reduce stress for both kids and parents. ![]() Beyond learning skills, the brain flexes other muscles to learn about following rules, meeting expectations, building social skills, organizing and more. This “Summer Brain Drain” can add more stress to kids’ lives when they transition back to school.Ī kid’s brain is a muscle, like any other: if it isn’t used consistently, it will lose some of the ‘strength’ it built up during the school year. Teachers can spend up to six weeks re-teaching material that kids have forgotten during the summer months. Studies show that when kids take a break from learning all summer long, they run the risk of losing up to three months’ worth of reading and math skills from the previous years. But this relaxed mindset doesn’t come without a cost. For children, summer is a time to relax, spend time doing fun activities and not think about school.
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