Many parents dread summer break because they have to find ways to entertain their children. But did you know your child can actually loose some of the learning they have gained the previous year if they don’t have any education opportunities during the summer months?
This is commonly known as summer reading loss, summer slide, or summer setback. If you are unable to place your child in a summer camp or other program, you should consider creating a summer program of your own. Every May, my children excitedly planned our ‘summer school’ program with me, choosing workbooks, reading material, and low-cost excursions to round out their education. I was able to focus on each child’s weakness as well as subjects the school system just didn’t cover adequately.
One of the best low-cost excursions around is to check with your public library system and local independent book stores. Many of them provide story times for the younger kids, as well as book clubs and other activities for the older ones.
Use summer break as an opportunity to encourage reading, especially by introducing age appropriate materials that include your child’s interests.