Summer. What does that word make you think of? Playing outside? Eating ice cream? Taking road trips? Enjoying extra free time with family and friends?
We think of summer and we dream of free time and fun!
However, according to organizations like the National Summer Learning Association and The Campaign for Grade- Level Reading, summertime is too often a season of losing the learning that has been gained during the school year. As a result, schools, libraries, and other community organizations are attempting to provide summer programs that will help children maintain academic learning while also exposing them to enrichment activities.
Even so, what can a PARENT do to support their child’s continued learning without diminishing the spirit of freedom and fun that we enjoy and expect of the summer?
Here’s some GOOD NEWS! The creators of ReadyRosie and BringingUp are not only educators, we are also parents (and aunts, uncles, grandparents, neighbors, etc.) and we have some thoughts on ways to combat summer learning loss without losing the best parts of summer.
For example…
We believe it is possible to talk math while eating ice cream!
We know that flashcards and worksheets are not required for learning letters.
We agree that parks and playgrounds are the perfect place to expend some energy out of the house and even throw some rocks!
We remember that blowing bubbles is sometimes the perfect way to end a summer evening learning new words with Mom and Dad.
We think a device is not the only way to keep kids engaged and entertained on a road trip!
ReadyRosie and BringingUp families will continue receiving inspiring ideas throughout the summer through regular texts and emails. We also invite you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for reminders of specific activities that are perfect for summertime.
Finally, we at ReadyRosie and BringingUp recognize that we aren’t the only ones with ideas. We would love to hear from you! Snap a photo or capture a learning moment on video. Post it to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and tag us @readyrosie with the hashtag #summerlearning. We can’t wait to see what you make of your summer!