Summer is a time to unwind and take a break from the daily grind of traditional school days. It is also a good time to continue the learning process with fun activities that subtly keep improving skills.
Benefits of Summer Learning
You don’t have to create a rigid schedule. It is summer, after all. When you make learning fun, your children are going to continue to engage their mind willingly. This will ensure they don’t lose skills while being sedentary. It will also help them to learn new things and develop new interests.
How to Keep Kids Engaged
There are many ways to keep your kids engaged with learning this summer. One of the best things you can do is to express interest in the things they enjoy. Here area a few ideas to get you started:
- If your child loves art, make sure you have art supplies in the home readily available.
- Teach your child chess, or another type of game you can both enjoy.
- Go on a nature walk and see if you can identify any bird calls. If you are interested in learning more about your surroundings, your children will be, too.
- Teach your children how to cook a simple meal.
- Go out geocaching to learn about navigation and directions.
- Let your children read anything (child-appropriate) that interests them, such as comic books and graphic novels.
- Build a fort together.
- Put out a variety of craft supplies.
- Consider volunteering in the community
- Teach kids the value of money.
Summer Camp
When you are not sure what to do with your children over the summer, time spent at summer camp can also expand their horizons and teach new activities.
If you are looking for a summer camp for your student who loves the biotechnology field this summer, Sallie B. Howard is hosting week-long summer camps for students in grades 7 to 9 in Wilson and the surrounding towns. Contact Brandi Simonof at bsimonof@sallieb.net for details. You do not need to be a SBH student to participate in summer camp.
