Help My Child Learn in the Summer

TutorGiant.com

     Let’s face it, who has the patience, time, and perhaps interest in sitting down with a child during the summer time to teach a lesson or do homework?

     Believe it or not, the summer provides the best opportunities for learning at home, and the best part about it is…neither you nor your child will feel as if it is a lesson!

     There are several ways that you can ‘teach’ your child reading, writing, and math over the summer.  The following ‘lessons’ are simple, fun, and easy to do.

1.     Kitchen Time. Cooking touches on so many academic skills for kids. The kitchen provides a fun hands-on environment to learn about fractions, measurement, multiplication, division, nutrition.  As well, reading cookbooks develops literacy skills.

2.    Shopping. Clothes? Food? Electronics? It doesn't matter. Younger children can count or add the number of items in your cart, while older ones can estimate the final price.   You can have your child go online and compare the same product from different stores.  Which brands are better deals? They can use a calculator, or do "mental math". Shopping in any store also is also a great time to practice handling money skills. 

3.    Family Trips. Going on a vacation? Have your kids read travel brochures, travel guides, and any fiction or non-fiction book that takes place in the location that your will visit.  Keeping a trip journal is a great way to maintain writing skills.  Sending e-mails to family members (as long as your child is writing in proper English) is a great way to practice letter writing.

4.    Book Clubs.  Are you already dreading the “I’m bored” whine?  Organize a book club with your child’s friends.  Have the children read the same book and then have a book talk/party in the evening.  Have them discuss the book (with a parent monitor) for 15 or 20 minutes, then, let them have fun together.  It’s a great way for them to socialize, verbally express their thoughts, and see how other people interpret literature.

      Be creative.  You know your child best.  See what your child enjoys and make it a learning experience, for both of you.

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