education central
Enrich Summertime Learning By Christa Melnyk Hines
W
ondering how to help your child retain reading, writing and math
skills she gained over the school year this summer? Enrichment camps are great options, but you can also weave learning into daily errands and interactive activities found in your own
2. Grocery shop. Dictate your grocery list to your child and have him keep track of the list. As you shop, talk about prices, sales and healthy choices. 3. Visit the farmer's market. Peruse seasonal produce native to the area. Ask about fruits and veggies you and your kids have never heard of before. Practice math skills by giving your child a list, a budget and
some money to shop at the market. 4. Grow a garden. Your child can learn more about her environment by cultivating her own fruits and vegetables. No room in your yard? Grow a container garden together. Your child can take pictures or make notes in a daily gardening notebook detailing the life cycle of the plant, any problems encountered and how she worked to solve those issues.
backyard. "Summer is a great opportunity for parents to participate and come up with projects on their own and learn what their kids are interested in," says Dr. Ashley Norris, assistant dean, University of Phoenix College of Education. According to the National Summer Learning Association, students who don't participate in any summer enrichment or educational activities lose about 22 percent of knowledge and skills gained during the school year. Teachers generally spend the first two months of school reviewing past material. By helping your children make the connection between what they learn in school and how the material relates to the real world, they'll retain more of their new skills and grow into more engaged, enthusiastic learners. 1. Calculate tips. Next time you and your family eat dinner out, help your child determine the tip when the bill arrives. May/June 2014
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