FEATURE FOCUS: SUMMER LEARNING LOSS
also makes the child feel like they are playing a game so it’s easier to motivate them to spend time working on their studies. See if your child’s school uses any specific programmes that have app versions to maintain consistency of materials. Set limits on other apps so your child is focused on learning for a set period of time during the day.
Purchase workbooks and reading books – If you don’t know where to start, purchase a few workbooks to guide your student through various subjects. These types of resources are readily accessible in stores, online, and at local libraries with a variety of subjects available from reading, math, writing, science, and everything in- between. They often work well when combined with digital learning efforts; try splitting the time equally to help maintain balance. Later, go over what your child learned that day and talk about their learning experience.
Make learning fun again – Part of motivating children to want to learn is ensuring they are enjoying it. Incorporate learning into everyday activities such as baking (to show measurements and fractions) or playing a board game like Monopoly (to practise counting money), or consider taking the fun outside. This can also integrate physical education which is just as crucial in a child’s development. By creating fun learning activities and experiences, you are able to create a different perspective for your kids around education and hopefully help them see learning as enjoyable and not just another task they have to complete.
Practise maths problems – In the same way that chores reinforce responsibility and teach your child how to take care of themselves, practising maths problems throughout the summer is a great way to keep your child’s brain active. This
helps them remember what they learned in the previous school year and sets them up for success for the upcoming school year. Providing maths workbooks or even making a game out of solving problems is a great way to encourage your kids to keep flexing that maths brain during the summer. You can easily find maths workbooks, puzzles, word and logic games available for free online. If you’re looking to purchase, Amazon has a great selection. Some local libraries also have these available as well, all you need is a local library card!
Sign up for a summer reading programme – Keeping up a reading routine is not only beneficial for adults but incredibly helpful for kids. Utilise the local library and make going to pick out books a fun experience. Encourage your child to challenge themselves with harder books or even sign them up for summer programmes provided by the library.
Incorporate advanced books or similar level books that your child will be expected to read and comprehend in the new school year. Allowing them a head start by reading at the next key stage level at home helps kids get comfortable with performing at this level and helps them achieve confidence for the upcoming school year.
Enroll in a summer tutoring programme – Self guidance can only get you so far. Enroll your child in tutoring programmes that have an academic plan already created to help support your child’s education needs. Find a general tutoring programme to help your kids in all areas of education or to focus on a problem area like maths. These programmes can help your child maintain what they learned in the previous year and prepare for the next level in fun and encouraging environments.
These various tutoring programmes can also help guide you and your child through education. They can help you determine if your child is hitting the right milestones and on track to succeed. If your child isn’t, these programmes are available to help course correct and teach your child in individual ways unique to their learning style. The best thing about summer programmes is the ability to extend the learning into the school year, to continue to help you and your child feel confident in their studies.
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https://www.wallacefoundation.org/ knowledge-center/pages/every-summer-counts- a-longitudinal-analysis-of-outcomes-from-the-
national-summer-learning-project.aspx
July/August 2023
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