Three Ways to Help Your Child Stay Academically Checked In Even While They Check Out Over Summer

Photo Credit: https://flic.kr/p/iACTVC
Photo Credit: https://flic.kr/p/iACTVC

Around the mid-point of summer some children benefit from a little adult input to keep activities exciting.  When offering fun activity ideas, try to provide some that allow your children to exercise their brains as well as their bodies!  Here are a couple activity suggestions you could make your own!

 

1.  Family Board Game

Although many electronic games offer math and reading practice, only person-to-person interactive games can truly exercise educational AND social skills.  For example, when playing a board game, children are asked to problem solve, follow directions, and act/react appropriately to the game and its players.  Sometimes sibling rivalry can get the best of the players, but the lessons learned are often far more valuable than sitting in front of a screen.

 

2.  Play Outside!

Who doesn’t want to be outside in sunny southern California?  Sometimes kiddos need a little encouragement, but once they get out there, they’re bound to have a good time!  Encourage your kids to make up a game.  Creating rules of a game provides problem solving among the kids, value to each child’s perspective, and creativity.  To make it fair, let each child make one rule before going around again to create more rules.  This way each child will have an equal amount of input.  Listening skills are also a big part of creating a game with other people.  Go a step further and encourage your kids to make math or reading a part of the game.

 

3.  Follow a Recipe in the Kitchen

A great way to practice reading and math is to cook!  Involve your family in choosing recipes, reviewing the ingredients, making a shopping list, purchasing food at the store, and executing the recipe in your kitchen.  Not only will this activity provide you quality time with your kids, but leave them with a meaningful and educational experience.  Not to mention, a yummy snack, dinner or dessert!

 

The summer months provide time to enjoy activities with your family.  Encourage your kids to make the most of their time to “check out” by choosing meaningful activities that will help them stay “checked in”.

About

For seven years, Marilee taught in an elementary classroom in Orange County, CA. Although she is not currently teaching, she always looks for ways to share knowledge gained from her education. Marilee's main focus for writing is to support families with school-aged children by providing tips and ideas to enrich activities. View all posts

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