Creative, Budget-Friendly Ways to Engage Children this Summer
While summer vacation is certainly a much-needed break and a time for relaxation and fun, it’s also essential that families address the potential impact of the summer slide on their students’ learning. The term summer slide refers to the decline that students experience in both academic skills and overall knowledge during extended breaks from school.
What is the Impact of the Summer Slide?
Particularly in subjects such as math and reading, research has consistently shown that students can lose a significant portion of their academic gains during a summer break. For example, according to the National Summer Learning Association states, “students can lose up to two months of grade-level equivalency in math skills over the summer.”
The effects of a prolonged break from learning can be far-reaching, impacting students’ academic performance and confidence - and even their educational trajectory! Students who experience a learning loss over the summer may begin the new school year already at a disadvantage and may require additional time and resources simply to catch up with their peers.
What Parents and Caregivers Can Do to Combat the Summer Slide
In the recent Education Week magazine article, “Effective Summer Learning”, the experts agree that summer programs are vital to maintaining educational equity. However, while some families engage in pricey enrichment opportunities, programs, and camps, cost alone is not the determining factor for a successful summer of learning.
Fortunately, there are many measures that parents and caregivers can take to mitigate the effects of the summer slide. Learning can happen anywhere and everywhere. With a bit of effort and the proper resources, motivated families can create an intellectual curiosity and love of learning that will last a child’s entire life!
Here are three areas of focus and specific suggestions that will not only make learning fun, but won’t break the bank:
ADD (FUN) ACADEMICS
Keeping students reading over the summer, especially in the elementary school years, will help ensure a successful transition to the next grade level. Summer is the perfect opportunity to let children indulge in the kind of literature they are most enthusiastic about. Whether it’s bugs, bulldozers, or Barbie, the lazy days of summer provide a perfect time to retreat to a homemade blanket fort and read a new fave or reread an old standby.
Don’t forget to stretch a bit on their reading level. And if reading aloud together is not yet a daily ritual, the slow paced days of summer are the perfect time to work this into a routine. (Read more about the benefits of reading aloud here.)
Your local public library is an often-overlooked resource. Not only can students check out myriad booksfor free, but there are also free programs to keep students motivated to read. (For a complete list of libraries throughout Delaware or to get a free library card, simply visit Delaware Public Libraries.)
For example, many libraries offer a kids’ summer book club. Children can discuss assigned books, share insights on characters and plots, and participate in book-related activities. (This is terrific low-key practice for in-school book discussions.) Book club participation promotes reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, and social interaction prowess. Many libraries also offer reading rewards programs. Within Delaware, the annual program, now in its 45th year, promotes learning during summer break in a fun way, while sharpening literacy skills and encouraging reluctant readers.
Math skills are also essential to maintain over the summer. And one of the best ways to encourage math mastery is through games. Whether as part of a regular Family Game Night or amongst children and their peers, math games can be so much fun, kids won’t realize they are learning! A few engaging games to try include UNO (number recognition), The Game of Life (money and budgeting), and Set (matching).
For older kids, Khan Academy may also offer an academic boost. This totally free resource is available online and offers short video lessons, as well as supplementary practice exercises, in an astounding variety of subjects. “Courses” are listed either by age or by subject and include a wide range from “getting ready for 3rd-grade math” to “AP College Chemistry,” plus everything in between. There are even life skills courses such as “College Admissions” and “Personal Finances.” Khan Academy offers the opportunity for kids to explore exciting new topics such as art history or computer programming, and courses which may not be available during the regular school year.
EMBRACE ART
After the hustle and bustle of a busy school year, summer can be an opportune time to support artistic expression. From drawing and painting to digital art, as well as sewing and crafts, the options are exciting! Inexpensive supplies are widely available or challenge kids to create “found art” from nature.
For inspiration on kid-friendly arts and crafts, visit YouTube. A quick search will yield easy video tutorials from companies such as Crayola, as well as many inspirational educators for tried and true projects.
Want to try a completely new art form? Classes need not be cost-prohibitive. For example, New Castle County Parks & Rec provides Free Creative Art Saturdays throughout the summer. Kids 6+ can create a fun art project with a local artist at The Art Studio on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. - Noon. The studio is located at 310 Kiamensi Road, Wilmington, DE 19804. (Learn more here.)
TRAVEL LOCALLY
The expression, “travel broadens the mind,” doesn’t just apply to far-flung, exotic locales overseas. Exciting educational “destinations” may be just beyond your own backyard. And many are low-cost or even free!
For the Nature Enthusiast: On the Wilmington Riverwalk, the DuPont Environmental Education Center is free and open to the public year-round, but really shines during the summer months. The Center, located on the edge of the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, offers critter loving kids glimpses of wildlife such as American Beavers and river otters, Eastern Painted Turtles and even an American BaldEagle or two!
For the Aviation Buff: Air Mobility Command Museum is located on the Dover Air Force Base and showcases the history of military aviation. The museum’s exhibits include a large collection of airplanes used throughout history. The main exhibit gallery allows both self-guided and docent-led tours.
For the Budding Artist: The Delaware Art Museum, located in Rockford Park in Wilmington, offers free admission on Thursdays, 4–8 pm, April–December. In addition to an ever-changing array of exhibits including painting, drawing, and sculpture, kids will enjoy the Kids’ Corner, the Museum’s interactive space just for families!
If further travel is in your family’s plans for this summer, consider the ASTC Museum Passport Program. Members of the Academy of Natural Sciences (located in Philadelphia) at the Family Plus level and above are entitled to free admission to more than 300 select science and technology centers across the nation and around the world through the Association of Science - Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program. Learn more about the ASTC Museum Passport Program.
Final Thoughts
Cultivating a love for learning actually goes beyond the materials or activities you offer your children. As a parent or caregiver, it’s rooted in your own engaged approach to learning. Children are much more inclined to ask questions, investigate, and develop a love of learning when they see their parents doing the same. So, model that behavior!