Helping Kids Learn and Grow All Summer Long

Summer is usually a welcome break from school, as kids get to enjoy some vacation time. But that doesn't mean learning has to stop. In fact, summer is a season for children to strengthen their academic and social skills that will help them start the new school year confident and prepared. Here are some ideas to help your child stay curious and continue growing.

Engage Your Kids in Physical Activities

Getting 60 minutes of active play or exercise each day is important for children's health and well-being. It's also an opportunity to build skills like coordination, resilience, problem-solving, and teamwork. Some ideas for activities are sports, biking, dancing, hula-hooping, jump-roping, rollerblading, or playing tag. Playing with other kids helps your child maintain and grow their social skills. Swimming and learning how to swim are also excellent summer activities to strengthen physical endurance and learn essential water safety skills. 

Foster Your Children's Curiosity through Outdoor Exploration

When the weather is warm and sunny, it's a great time to take your kids on a nature walk in the local park or on a trail. It gives your kids a chance to observe their surroundings and develop their language skills by describing what they see. Encourage your kids to ask questions about what they observe to sharpen their critical thinking skills. It can also be fun to play the "I Spy" game or a counting game to incorporate math practice. 

Encourage Your Kids to Read During the Summer

Reading regularly over the summer helps prevent the “summer slide” (loss of academic progress when kids are out of school for an extended period). Reading improves memory, focus, comprehension, and cognitive skills. To make reading enjoyable and not feel like homework, help your kids choose books that interest them. We recommend taking a trip to the local library together to explore books as a family. If your child has a learning disability, taking turns to read out loud or listening to audiobooks can help. For more tips on encouraging your kids to read, check out our blog here.

Consider Summer Learning Programs and Activities 

There are many types of summer learning programs for children to participate in, like adventure and day camps, STEM programs, performing arts, crafts, and sports. These programs provide opportunities to learn and enhance skills and interact with their peers. Consider your children's interests when deciding on what program to sign them up for. You can also take your kids to museums, science centers, planetariums, aquariums, and historical sites for hands-on learning experiences and enrichment.

Support Your Children's Learning at Home

A lot of activities at home provide fun learning opportunities. For example, gardening teaches kids about nature, while cooking teaches kids about nutrition and where food comes from. You can also foster your children's creativity by having them draw or paint pictures, using clay or Play-Doh to make art, learning how to play a musical instrument, or solving puzzles. Creativity can strengthen academic skills and prepare them for when they go back to school. In addition, watching a moderate amount of quality educational programs and films during the summer can teach kids about various aspects of the world, life lessons, and other cultures. Make sure to stick to age-appropriate content only.

Every day during the summer can be an opportunity for kids to continue learning. By letting your kids explore their interests and using daily activities to teach your kids new things, you'll help them thrive during their break and ensure that they're ready for the next school year.