Prevent Loss of Learning Over the Summer- Tips for Parents of Public School Students

One problem that I have had to face as a parent to students in public school is how to prevent loss of learning during Spring break or the summer months. We try to stay as involved as possible with the education of our children, although they are in public school.

This means during the summer months and school breaks, we want to be sure our children stay fresh on their studies so that school won't seem so difficult when they return.

I spoke with home school parent, Lyn Lomasi about what parents like myself can do to help their children stay up to date on their studies during time off from school. The advice she has to give is amazing!

Lisa: How can parents of public school students prevent loss of learning over the summer?

Lyn: There are a variety of ways parents can help their students in prevention of learning loss. One method is to enroll a child in an educational summer program. Other parents may choose to hire a tutor. Some other ways include educational day trips, learning games, as well as setting a studying schedule that won't interfere with summer vacation. Reading and math are the two areas in which summer learning loss is the most common. Therefore, reading books daily, as well as consistently practicing math over the summer are both essential for a parent who wants to prevent learning loss over the summer.

Lisa: What are some activities parents can do with elementary aged children over the summer to help with math?

Lyn: Elementary-aged children often are more interested in playing than studying, especially over the summer. Parents can draw on this as a means of providing valuable lessons. If the parent is the one doing the teaching, learning games and manipulative toys can be used to get the child interested. Store trips, planning family vacations, and earning allowance all are activities that could be used to teach a math lesson without the child even knowing it. Computer games, as well as outdoor activities can also help to supplement learning. There also are various websites that offer free worksheets, printable math games, and interactive computer lessons. Some parents may also opt to hire a private tutor or enroll their child in a summer math program. Whether a child takes summer classes or the parent does all the teaching, the above activities will be a great help. In addition, reading comprehension aids in math comprehension, so reading daily is a must.

Lisa: What are some activities parents can do with elementary aged children over the summer to help with English?

Lyn: Much of English comes from practice of the language. Reading daily is important. Most parents know and understand that, but some do not think about the fact that there are various ways to do so. Reading aloud, as well as reading silently both are important. Allow your child to read to you, but also allow time where the child reads quietly alone. A child should also hear the language. Therefore, parents can read to their children, as well as engage them in conversations throughout the day. When talking to children, try throwing in some new words to keep them immersed in learning new English. If the children will oblige, let them read dictionaries and encyclopedias. An alternative may be to display a word or words of the day on the fridge. Workbooks, learning games, and tutoring can also be a great help.

Lisa: What are some activities parents can do with elementary aged children over the summer to help with spelling?

Lyn: Daily reading and writing practice help sharpen spelling skills a great deal. Another great way to do this is to play word games. There are many word games available in stores. Parents also can make up their own. Perhaps the most popular word game of all is Scrabble. Scrabble is excellent for spelling skills, as the words must be spelled correctly in order to receive any points. Other word games on the market include Boggle and Boggle Jr and Sight Word Bingo. There also are many spelling games for the computer, as well as free printable spelling games online.

Lisa: How can parents make time each day for learning with their children?

Lyn: Using everyday activities and play to incorporate lessons can make it even more fun and educational. It also saves time. For instance, if you already are going to the grocery store, you can enhance spelling and language skills by allowing the child to prepare the list. Math skills can be obtained through adding up the cost, as well as paying for the items. Also, think about times where you aren't as busy. For instance, lunch time is a great opportunity to practice oral language skills simply by using conversation. It can easily be geared toward whatever the current lesson is. This can be done both during preparation and as everyone is eating. If there is more than one child, it is possible to do this on each child's appropriate level. Also think of times where you might typically be doing nothing but wasting time. Those are good times to schedule in lessons, as are times that you know are your child's most aware times during the day. Just a few minutes of quality learning here and there throughout the day can make all the difference.

Sources:

• Interview with Lyn Lomasi

• Personal experience