Posted on: Thursday, June 22, 2006
Help child continue learning in summer
By Terrie Simpson
Students everywhere look forward to summer vacation so they can take a break from studying and homework. But such a long break from school can cause students to slide, not only in their study habits but in their academic skills as well.
In fact, research shows that many students do forget many math and reading skills during the summer. To help your child avoid having to "relearn" skills at the beginning of the school year, here are some tips to keep your child learning throughout the summer.
Look ahead to courses for the next school year. Ask your child's teacher the kinds of things they will be covering next year and see if you can plan summer activities around that. If there is a unit on geology, perhaps plan a summer trip to a national park. Or, if there's a unit on oceanography, talk to your child about marine life next time you head to the beach.
Talk about summer spending. To keep math skills sharp, use a family picnic or other outing as a way to teach money skills. For example, ask your child to write down all the things you might need to buy for the outing, such as tickets, lunch, parking, etc. Have the child put together a budget that includes the total amount needed for the day, and have them be in charge of paying for everything the day of the activity.
Limit TV time. TV cuts into time your child would otherwise spend playing, talking to friends, or reading and writing. Most research shows that two hours is the maximum daily TV time a child should watch. Encourage your child to instead call a friend or relative, go to the library or play an active game.
Write about summer activities. Have your child keep track of summer activities by keeping a journal, or simply writing letters or e-mails to friends or relatives on the Mainland. Or, for older children, have your child start a scrapbook or an online blog where he or she can post entries and photos about summer activities. The writing and organizational skills required for any of these activities will help children keep their skills fresh.
Check out summer school or summer camps. Organized summer camps or other educational sessions exist all over Hawai'i. The Parks and Recreation Department has classes and camps, as do many private schools. Many are keyed to a particular interest or sport and can be a great opportunity for your child to learn new things and make new friends.
This column is provided through the Hawai'i State Teachers Association. Terrie Simpson is a junior kindergarten teacher at Nanaikapono Elementary School.
