All through the year, kids long for the summer holidays when they can escape the pressures of school. Unfortunately, summer breaks are often a time of summer learning loss, or the “summer slide,” for children. It’s believed that students can lose one to three months of learning through a summer. What can parents do about it?

 

It can be essential to keep children learning throughout the summer in an enjoyable, low-pressure way that doesn’t switch them off. Here are five techniques parents can use to keep their offspring on track.

 

Workbooks

 

Summer workbooks are an informative, structured tool that reinforces what students have learned throughout the year and can prepare them for the one ahead. Grade-specific workbooks can support pre-kindergarteners through seventh- and eighth-grade students with activities related to math, social studies, and fitness.

 

Educational Activities

 

Spending time with your child on activities is a good opportunity for reconnecting and learning at the same time. Teaching children to cook can enable them to brush up on measuring and, therefore, math and can create opportunities for discussing everything from history (how did grandma cook?) to health (why are greens good for you?).

 

For more fun, you can take it outside. Educational philosopher John Dewey advocated gardening as a form of education. You can think about the math of spacing seeds, the science of photosynthesis, and design basics. If you don’t have a garden or window box, the warm weather can be the ideal time for a nature walk. Consider supervising your child while they race to spot and identify as many different plants as possible.

 

Consistent Reading

 

Reading is crucial during the summer months. Reading with your child is a good way to encourage them. Another is by turning it into a game. Local libraries often have a children’s summer reading challenge, or you can create one at home tailored to your child’s age and interests. Maybe throw in a book from your childhood to discuss with them.

 

Thanks to modern devices, books don’t need to be a solitary activity. Headed off for a long holiday road trip? Consider checking out audiobooks with kid-friendly titles to listen to together in the car.

 

Educational Apps

 

Kids shouldn’t slump on the couch on their phone or tablet each day, but that doesn’t mean a little screen time can’t be useful. Educational apps can help stimulate the mind, especially when enjoyed with an adult. For the under-fives, the Caterpillar Creative Play app lets kids design and color. It’s a good complement to the classic book. Older kids may enjoy Wizard School, a free app that covers a variety of subjects from science to geography and lets kids create designs based on challenges from educators.

 

Camps That Teach

 

If you can bear being apart from your child for a week or two and have some cash to spare, consider an educational alternative to the traditional summer camp. National Computer Camps (NCC) has been teaching kids to code since the days of the Apple 1, while Camp BizSmart will teach entrepreneurship to tomorrow’s young CEOs, covering skills ranging from product design to public speaking.

 

A debate camp can help hone your child’s critical thinking skills, or you can increase their international awareness at Concordia Language Villages. It immerses children in other languages and cultures during its youth camps and family weeks and weekends.

 

Using these tools, you can help your child enjoy the fun and play that every summer holiday should bring while still keeping them sharp for the fall. Who said that studying couldn’t be fun?