Summer Learning Activities to Practice Math, Reading, and Writing
As the school year winds down and we gear up for the summer months, one concern many parents have is this: how are they going to keep their kids’ brains active? Summer learning activities don’t have to look like just more school (in fact, we think it shouldn’t!), but where do you start? For most students, focusing on 3 key areas is beneficial to keep up their momentum and make sure they’re set up to start the next school year strong. These three key summer learning areas to focus on are math, reading, and writing.
Real-Life Math Practice
When it comes to practicing math skills, we’re big proponents of bringing math concepts into real life. Instead of just boring worksheets that feel like more school, involve your child in some of the math tasks you do every day. Some examples include:
- Following a recipe (and doubling or halving it to get practice with fractions)
- Calculating the tip at a restaurant (without using an app or their provided amounts!)
- Figuring out the best value item in a store (which one is the lowest price per unit)
- Calculating miles per gallon on a road trip
- Estimating arrival time on a trip based on how many miles it is and the average speed you’ll be traveling
A More Exciting Approach to Summer Reading
If your child does not get excited by the prospect of reading during the summer, one way to make it more fun is to create a summer book club among peers. Assembling a group of 3-5 kids that are similar in age and interest can provide more motivation to read and enhance the experience with the chosen books.
Another option is to make it a family affair! Find a series you can all enjoy together and either read it aloud, individually, or listen to the audiobook while traveling this summer. It may just give you some new and different ways to connect with your kids during this season!
Don’t Forget About Writing!
Many times, parents focus on reading and math and don’t think about this area, but writing practice is just as important over the summer. Writing is a powerful tool to practice fine motor skills, planning and organization, spelling, self-monitoring, and other key areas of learning and executive function. When kids don’t write regularly, this is an area where you may see a loss of momentum or even some backtracking during the summer.
Like all of our tips, this should NOT be long and laborious. Start where your child is and create writing prompts and activities geared towards their interests. We share some simple tips for creating an effective (and fun) summer journaling experience here! >>
Summer Learning Activities to Help You Build Momentum
There are two mindsets when it comes to the summer months: it can be a break from school OR it can be a chance to help your child maintain their momentum (or even get ahead). We’d urge a balanced approach: yes, kids need unstructured time to play, rest, and explore their interests, but at the same time, this is an ideal time to focus some time and energy on building the skills they need to have to succeed next school year.
