IN Cranberry Spring 2016 | Page 17

INDUSTRY INSIGHT PARENTING SPONSORED CONTENT Five Ways to Prevent “SUMMER S SLIDE” ummer is an awesome time of year. It’s full of family gettogethers, trips to the pool and vacations. With all that awesomeness, though, sometimes learning falls by the wayside. Research has shown that some children experience summer learning loss, also known as “summer slide,” because their minds aren’t as engaged as they are during the school year. You can help to keep your child’s brain active and prevent summer slide with these five fun learning activities: Visit our brand new, expanded showroom featuring increased product selection for a healthier night’s rest! 1. Read, read, read. Read to your child or encourage him/her to read for 20 minutes every day. Taking a trip to the library on hot, humid or rainy days can be fun, too. Also, listening to audio books is great during car trips. 2. Learn a new word every week. Make this a game by seeing who can use the new word the most times throughout the week. You can even make a scoreboard and stick it on the fridge. Encourage your children to look through a picture dictionary to pick out new words. 3. Get cooking. Cooking with your child is a fun way to teach math and reading skills as well as how to follow instructions. Look through a cookbook with your little ones, and ask them what they would like to make. 4. Hit the road. Take a field trip to a museum, zoo or aquarium. Before you go, read a book with your child about the sights at your destination. When you return, you and your child can write a journal entry about your adventures. 5. Go outside. Embrace the nice weather and go on a hike, nature walk or bike ride. Pack a magnifying glass and/or binoculars, and take breaks along the way to take a closer look at things. You and your little ones can even take notes on interesting objects or animals and look up more information about them online or in an encyclopedia when you get home. ® Offering independently certified, customizable organic mattresses, pillows & bedding from crib to king. No toxic chemicals. No synthetic gel. No flame retardants. No polyurethane foam. Just better sleep! This Industry Insight was written by Dina & Matt Speranza. R 20280 Route 19 Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 724.778.8200 - www.thenaturalsleepshop.com They are the owners of The Goddard School® located at 8065 Rowan Road in Cranberry. Goddard offers both full- and part-time infant/preschool/kindergarten programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschool.com or call 724.778.9999. Cranberry | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 15