Yay! Schools out for summer!! Many kids are ready to put down their books and walk away until next school year. While it is important to have a little rest and relaxation it’s also important to not shove all the learning to the side.

When reading and math are completely kicked to the curb for the summer break there’s significant backslide in both subjects. Most students will lose about 2 months grade level equivalency in math. In fact students score better on standardized tests taken at the end of the school year than tests taken at the beginning of the year.

So how do we as parents help prevent that summer slide? We continue education through the summer.

10 Tips To Keep Skills Sharp For The Summer

1. Enroll In Summer School – Summer school isn’t a punishment. There are many fun summer school classes available. Often children can pick from subjects they enjoy, and just by continuing that classroom setting it can help.
2. Join a Summer Camp – It can be a day camp or a sleep away camp. They both will offer many learning opportunities, and even if it’s not pencil to paper type of education kids are staying sharp. After all just spending time with other children their age developing relationships and improving their social skills will be very beneficial.
3. Sign Up For Summer Reading Program – Local libraries usually sponsor a summer reading program. Requirements are broken up into multiple age ranges. After so many hours or books read kids will be eligible to win a prize.
4. Find Educational Math Apps & Games – I know video games can seem like a major distraction or waste of time, but they can serve a purpose in education. Our kids are fascinated by electronics and they can be used to aid in the success of certain subjects. Some popular educational math games are Math Man on abcya.com, which has games geared for Pre-K to 5th Grade. AdaptedMind.com is good for 1st – 8th grade.  A few other math related game/websites MathBlaster.com, Rocket Math, Minecraft, American Mensa Academy, and iCross.
5. Find Educational Reading/Language Games – There are many free reading games on Scholastic, Spelling with Caillou, PBSKids, Professor Garfield – Reading Ring, and StarFall. There are other games like Reader Rabbit for the Wii or computer, or Jump Start Escape Adventure Island which incorporates reading, math, and critical thinking. Your child’s school may use MobyMax during the school year and they can continue to use it through the summer.
6. Cook Together – Have your kids help read the recipe and recognize fractions. Determine what the fractions will be if you double or triple the recipe.
7. Go Shopping – When you have errands to run have your child determine how long they think it will take to drive to each of the locations, and the overall time you’ll be out. Then clock the time and see how close they get. Also while shopping look for items on sale. If it says they are 20% off how much would the item be. You can do this with any percentage and any time. It doesn’t just have to be ones on sale.
8. Hunt For Words On The Road – Go through the alphabet from A-Z and find words as you drive around that begin with each letter.
9. Go to the Zoo or Museum – While their looking at each exhibit read the information posted with the exhibit. Take turns you reading to them and them reading to you. Also for a little bonus have them bring a little notebook to write down their favorite animals, exhibit or draw a picture if they are younger.
10. Play Old School Games – You know like Gin Rummy, War, and Concentration. Or play some Scrabble, Quirkle, Yahtzee, Life, or Monopoly. Games require critical thinking, social behavior skills, and some incorporate reading or math. Plus it’s a good time for the whole family.

When my youngest son was in between Kindergarten and 1st Grade we implemented a new rule throughout the summer. He had to read for 20 minutes everyday before he could play any video games. It changed him from a reading on his grade level to well above grade level. As he progressed and got older we increased the time frame that he needed to read.

We also purchased educational workbooks for him to complete 2-3 pages a day. There would always be a math and then 1-2 language style pages. Our favorite brand was Carson Dellosa Complete Book of Grade, whichever grade he was going into next. I created a sticker chart, and he would receive a sticker on the chart for every page completed correctly. As he filled up the chart he earned prizes. We have gotten to the age where it’s just one big prize when the chart is completely full. Together they’ve helped him to be better prepared for the next grade level.

What are some ways you help your children to stay on top of their reading and math skills over the summer?