As we approach the summer break, we want to strike that balance of keeping our children engaged academically, while allowing them to revel in the joys of childhood. With this in mind, we asked our teachers for some tips to avoid the “summer slide!”
1. Read, Read, Read!
It’s no surprise this was the most popular answer from our teachers! We cannot stress enough the importance of reading. Encourage your child to read every day. Whether it’s a captivating storybook, an educational magazine, or even a comic book, reading stimulates imagination, enhances vocabulary, and fosters a lifelong love for learning. Make reading a fun activity by incorporating games or reading outdoors in the sunshine. For younger children, practicing sounds and sight words can lay a strong foundation for literacy skills.
2. Prioritize Free Play
We love the value of free play, preferably outdoors. Research shows that outdoor play enhances physical health, social skills, and cognitive development. Encourage your child to explore God’s world, engage in imaginative play, or participate in sports activities. As we see during Outdoor Ed, it’s during these unstructured play times that children learn valuable life lessons such as teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience.
3. Cultivate a Love for Learning
Summer offers a golden opportunity for children to explore subjects they are passionate about. Encourage them to pursue their interests through reading, hands-on projects, or even educational field trips. Whether it’s astronomy, art, or gardening, let their curiosity lead the way. By making learning enjoyable and relevant to their interests, we instill a lifelong habit of curiosity and self-directed learning.
4. Build Life Skills
Involve your children in running a household with plenty of age-appropriate responsibilities. Challenge them to plan a menu once a week, do the shopping, and help with cooking. Keep that passion for service strong through volunteer opportunities.
As partners in your child’s education, we believe that a balanced approach to summer activities can ensure that they return to school refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to embark on another year of growth and learning. Let’s make this summer a memorable journey of discovery and enrichment for our children!