Enjoy another installment of our our newest blog series, "Summer Shorts,” inspired by the summer season: sunny and breezy; a picnic of thoughtful articles to give you some things to think about & do & leave you plenty of time to get back outside and revel.
Summer learning loss. We know it’s real. But what can parents do to help their children maintain the knowledge and skills they have acquired over the course of the academic year?
We at Bennett have asked educators for their tips and are delighted to share them with you:
1. Read! Together, separately, aloud, silently. Visit your local library to explore new genres. Just 30 minutes daily will have a significant impact.
2. Math. Use it every day! As you cook, shop, or drive. Build things, with Legos, empty boxes, anything that is at hand. Start a business, a lemonade stand, perhaps. And sing! Math facts such as multiplication tables are often most easily memorized through song.
3. Go outside and play! We’ve addressed this topic here before, noting that the research demonstrates that outdoor physical activity positively affects academic achievement. An hour daily will not only enhance learning, it will improve mood and sleep as well.
4. Write often! Keep a summer journal. Send postcards or letters to family and friends. Make a list – any kind of list will do, even the grocery list. Use colored pens and pencils to make it even more fun and creative.
5. Play games! Board games, word games, card games, games you’ve made up. Your conversations will support language, literacy and listening skills in your children—and even develop debating skills as you “discuss” the rules.
6. Do something nice for someone, perhaps even anonymously! Or volunteer in your community. Not only will this help children understand the value of making a positive contribution, it will support their developing social emotional skills.
7. Go on an adventure! Whether near or far, short or long, big or small, going somewhere new or revisiting a favorite place will engage your child and allow them to discover new interests and passions.
By Annemiek Young
Annemiek Young, former Bennett Education Consultant, Director of Private Client Relations Emeritus, and good friend , is a regular contributor to our blog.
Over the years, Bennett International Education Consultancyhas worked with hundreds of corporations across the globe, many of them Fortune 500 companies, providing domestic and international school advisement & placement services - preschool through university - to the dependents of relocating employees. In addition to education placement, our team provides customized consulting for corporations with a range of education issues: education policy writing & benchmarking, tuition studies, group move advisement & planning, and remote education solutions.