Q: [School Aged] I let the kids lounge for the first week or two of summer, but I can practically feel their little brains mushing out with every passing hour on the couch. How can I sneak in some learning so they don’t go into shock when summer is over?
A: Without finding ways to spark educational enrichment, the dreaded “summer slide” can occur. According to National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), most students score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than at the beginning. Their retention of certain skills suffers even more: NSLA reports that most kids lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Finding ways to learn all summer long is not only an important goal to approach as a family, it’s a critical one that will help students transition back to school more easily.
With some preparation, the traditional break between academic years can be a time of adventure, relaxation and activity-based learning for students. A trip to a local park can become a day of studying the natural sciences. Family cookouts can double as math lessons in weight and measurement. Even watching summer blockbuster movies together can spark conversations about the use of technology in animation, filming and computer-generated imagery.
When looking for summer learning activities for your kids, here are some guidelines to consider.
- Approach learning as play. Kids can learn and have fun at the same time through summer classes and camps. Many offer reading, math as well as arts and classic outdoor summer activities.
- Read together every day. You can help build language arts skills by reading aloud to young learners and encouraging older, independent readers to spend 20 minutes exploring nonfiction, fiction and news daily. Head over to your local library for activity-rich summer reading programs. Most offer kids incentives and rewards for reading books, too. Check out the library locator on ocpl.org to find a branch near you.
- Don’t forget nutrition. Remember to keep their brains and bodies healthy with a daily dose of fruits, vegetables and active play. Talking about the science of food and physical activity with your children will keep their minds as active as their bodies.
- Be proactive. You can design your own activities or locate quality summer learning opportunities so your children don’t lose the skills they worked hard to learn in school.
School is in for summer fun – and yes, educational enrichment – at the Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) Summer Enrichment Academy and other high-quality summer programs here in Orange County. This kind of programming lets kids be kids while “sneaking in some learning.”
Every year, more than 6,000 students dig into hands-on learning fun at IPSF’s Summer Enrichment Academy courses and camps because they reinforce their skills in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) while being entertained. With almost 100 courses and camps to choose from, there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for additional enrichment opportunities this summer, IPSF has new, one-week camps in August for students in grades 1-8. Classes include LEGO Engineering, Robotics, Scratch Programming, Culinary Creations Camp, STEAM Camp and a Movie Makers Camp.
The only summer slide students should experience is on the playground – not from learning loss!
Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) President and CEO Neda Eaton enriches the lives of 32,000 students in the IUSD. She is a certified behavior analyst and has amassed numerous honors, including most recently the Outstanding Supporter of Prevention Award from Irvine Prevention Coalition. ipsf.net
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