Extension Highlights Summer 2016 | Page 4

Summer Vacation and bridging learning from June to September for children

During the early 20th century, school calendars were designed to fit the needs of individual communities. In agricultural communities, the children attended school for 5 to 6 months so they could participate in the spring planting and fall harvest. Urban schools tended to operate on an 11 to 12-month schedule.

Over time, the need for a standard curriculum and school calendar led to the development of the 10-month school year that we know today. But even now, concerns still linger about the negative effects of a 2-month recess from instruction. The long summer vacation disrupts instruction and leads to children forgetting the material they learned previously.

Parents often struggle with how to combine academics and vacation in order to provide an enjoyable and educational summer experience for their children. Here are some useful tips that can help parents keep their children sharp during the summer break:

1. Summer school- Summer school is not just for students who are failing or having difficulty in school. Many schools offer enrichment activities, especially math-focused ones. Regularly required courses for junior and high school students may be offered during the summer, enabling these students to move ahead and free up some time in their regular school schedules.

2.Community activities- Academic activities may be offered at the local library (i.e. summer reading programs); museums frequently run special events; and zoos are great for learning too. Local businesses may provide educational tours or partner with other agencies to provide technical workshops or camps.

3.Educational themed vacations- Deciding where your family may vacation based on your child’s recent or upcoming studies at school is a great way to combine fun with learning. Keep educational benefits in mind when considering geological or historical destinations.

And here are a few more ways to incorporate learning into daily activities:

1. Kitchen math- Simple recipes are perfect for teaching and helping retain knowledge of simple fractions. For more complicated math, have the children reduce a large recipe by half.

2. Astronomy- Summer nights are perfect for star gazing and identifying the constellations.

3. Science- Children can build bug, flower, or plant collections. Delving into pond

environments and their inhabitants is always fun. Show children how to classify and log their findings in a special journal.

4. Sewing- Teaching children how to read a pattern and figure out yardage helps foster math skills.

5. Music- Incorporate songs around a campfire or play guitars and other instruments. Music also enhances math skills.

6. Arts and crafts - Visit art museums and craft fairs so your children can experiment with different art forms and mediums. Let them try their hand with various materials and paints.

It is possible to keep summer enjoyable for children, while adding a splash of education to the mix!

Parent Educator

Paula Goodrich, [email protected]

Spring cleaning like it’s Never Been Done Before…