IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Summer 2019

The end of the school year is here, and the smell of sun-tan lotion and chlorine quickly fill our lives. A new school year will begin before we know it. However, during the interim of summer, many kids are at high risk for various negative conditions. Some of these setbacks include knowledge and skills lost, and the loss of structured time. During the summer, it is most likely that all parents will hear the phrase “I’m bored.” There are many summer activities for kids throughout local communities that include public pools, library reading programs, plays and more. Parents can check into their community summer offerings by visiting the local website for resources. For those kids who are not in school or do not attend day camp, below are some fun ideas and free activities to help keep kids busy while encouraging their love for learning. Learn how to write a song: http://www.robinfrederick.com/write.html Write a fairy tale: http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/fractured_fairy.htm Brain teasers: http://brainconnection.positscience.com/brain-teasers/ Create your own holiday: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson018.shtml Become a photographer: http://www.betterphoto.com/photography-for-kids.asp FREE SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AT LOCAL STORES: Home Depot’s Free Workshops (free tickets to events here too): http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/?pn=HT_WS_KidsWorkshops Visit a virtual farm: http://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/virtualfarm/ Create a website (yes, this is HTML for kids): http://www.lissaexplains.com/ Learn about new sports: http://www.sikids.com/ Learn new outdoor games: http://www.gameskidsplay.net/ Apple Store: Kids Learn How To Make A Movie: http://www.apple.com/retail/camp/notify.html Free Museum Ticket: http://museums.bankofamerica.com/ Barnes and Noble Online Storytime: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/online-storytime-books-toys/379003588 Kids Bowl Free: http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ Summer is a time for kids to play outside, discover nature, and spend time with friends. Kids should have a great amount of free play- time, while enjoying the natural wonders of childhood, playing games and making memories. The Importance of Reading for Fun! A recent report from Scholastic found that the number of students who are reading for fun peaks at second grade and then declines. This is a troubling and concerning finding given the importance of reading. Third grade is a pivotal grade for reading as it marks the shift from learning how to read to then reading to learn. Once students leave third grade they should be able to use reading as a path to learning new things and they should be choosing reading for a leisure time activity. The report found that as children get older, fewer see reading as something to do to for fun and in turn, they are reading less. This trend can negatively impact a student’s ability to learn as those who read more learn more and those who read less tend to get left behind. How do we help kids see reading as an activity for pleasure? There are several ways that we can help children stay interested in reading. One motivator can be letting them select their own reading material; although kids may need help finding a book of interest to them. You do not need to push a child to read a difficult book; let them read a graphic novel or a good comic book. Chapter books and storybooks are some of the most popular formats for students. Magazines are also great options for students. E-books are also emerging as an engaging genre for kids. Almost all students agree that their most favorite type of book is one that they pick out themselves. Children who are frequent readers say they like to read as it helps them understand the world. Reading can also make it easier for them to talk about and understand the world around them. Other ways to motivate children to read are to model reading for pleasure and to expose students to many print materials. Having access to books is a great way to encourage kids to read. This may mean taking one day a week and visiting the library to check out some new books. Perhaps ask the librarian to help your child pick out a good series or topic of interest as children sometimes struggle with finding interesting books. You may also want to consider setting aside 20 minutes each day where everyone in the house sits down and reads together! With summer upon us, it is important to encourage children to put down their devices and read even if only for a few minutes each day. Reading helps children connect to their world, communities, and families. Books can open children up to new experiences and teach them about themselves and others. Try to find a few moments to go to the library and pick out some books - for both you and your child and see where a good story can take you! Take a free class about anything interesting: https://www.khanacademy.org/ Pottery Barn Kids’ Workshops: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/customer-service/store-events.html 64 BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL

IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Summer 2019 | Page 66