5 Ways to Keep Your Child Learning Over Summer Break

Children work hard during the school year, and summer break is a much-deserved time for their brains to rest. However, the lack of educational stimulation children experience over summer break can pose a problem for their academic development. During the summer, children forget up to three months of math and reading skills, and spend at least six weeks relearning old material in the fall to make up for it. Avoid learning loss with these 5 tips to keep your child educated over summer break:

Redefine Learning

Many children face the misconception that learning “ends” on the last day of school and picks up again on the first day back. Address their resistance to educational activities before the school year ends by redefining what it means to learn. Even simple summer activities— such as playing outside or making arts and crafts— can teach children an array of useful life skills. Your child doesn’t always have to have their head in a textbook or their desk covered in workbook pages; instead, they can find ways to incorporate learning into everyday activities they enjoy. 

Encourage Daily Journaling

Journaling is not only a great way for children to brush up on their creative writing skills; it also provides a safe outlet for them to process their feelings and emotions. To get your child into the habit of journaling, set aside a time each day they can use to wind down with a pen and notebook. If they need a boost of inspiration, try giving them writing prompts about a specific memory or feeling they’ve experienced in the past.

Read for Leisure

There’s never a wrong time to read for enjoyment, and summer break is no exception. To avoid residual burnout from the school year, take your child to a local library or bookstore and let them choose the reading material (or check out our summer book recommendations for ideas). Leisure reading helps children develop their language, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills without the traditional structure of the classroom— to them, it won’t even feel like learning!

Go Online

It probably comes at no surprise that the internet is rife with free learning resources for children. The next time your child logs into the computer or picks up a tablet, have them visit Funbrain or PBS Kids for some education-focused fun. They may also be interested in watching videos on a variety of interesting topics with Brainpop, or brushing up on their math skills with engaging games from Cool Math 4 Kids. 

Take Family Field Trips

Luckily, Brevard County has no shortage of fun, educational, and safe activities for the entire family. Take learning outside of the home with day trips to local museums, parks, and zoos. Explore historic spacecraft and celebrate the accomplishments of human innovation at the Kennedy Space Center, or meet Florida’s wildlife at Jungle Adventures, A Real Florida Animal Park. The Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science also has exhibits for prehistoric science-loving children, as well as a butterfly garden and picnic area. 

With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School, a Titusville Catholic school, provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop to their full potential. Students foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and are equipped for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.