15 Ways to Encourage Summer Learning in Kids

Summer Learning Helps Prevent the “Summer Slide”

Research has proven kids lose precious learning – they worked so hard for during the school year – during carefree summer vacation months.

“All young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. Research spanning 100 years shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.” (via The National Summer Learning Association)

YIKES!  

So how do we – as busy parents – prevent that dreaded “summer slide?”

By sprinkling learning into our kids’ summer fun!  

Let’s see what some fellow busy mamas say they do to encourage summer learning…

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Alright, Mamas, how do you find opportunities for Summer learning?

1. Practice Life Skills
“With a toddler that will probably be starting preschool, possibly in September, a big focus for us this summer is listening skills. We always read a lot and are doing well with his numbers, letters, counting, etc., but are using this time to work on staying seated while eating and listening and following directions. Summer outings are good ways to focus on the importance of listening and on engaging with our kids appropriately, both of which will be so important for preschool.” Jennifer from The Good Long Road

2. Make Summer Learning Hands On
“We try to provide lots of hands-on experiences, from playing with math manipulatives at home to visiting local farms, living history sites, and museums.” MaryAnne from Mama Smiles

3. Take A Road Trip
“Our children can recognize famous architecture, share the significance of historic sites, and know much about our country’s history – but, not from classroom lessons. We take inexpensive road trips across our country each summer, camping along the way, to visit National Parks, historical sites, museums, and places that each state is known best for.” Heather from wordplayhouse

[Tweet “Summer Learning Tip: Take inexpensive road trips.”]

4. Visit Local Museums
“We have been exploring museums, a science center, and gardens near our house. We talk about what we are seeing and look for books at the library on things my son wants to know more about.” Deirdre from JDaniel4’s Mom

5. Check Local Shopping Centers
“Lots of larger shopping centers have school holiday programs with concerts and activities. It’s a fun, busy and exciting time full of new experiences!” Deborah from Learn with Play at Home

6. Follow Up Outings with Summer Learning Activities
“Summer time for our family learning is focused on exploring new things. Hands-on real life learning is the best no matter how old you are. We try to plan a few local outings in each week and then follow up with them at home through games, crafts, manipulatives, writing, cooking and most importantly BOOKS.” Kim from The Educators’ Spin On It (Check out Kim’s summer bucket list, too!)

[Tweet “Summer Learning Tip: Follow up outings with at-home activities and books.”]

7. Read, Read, READ!
“We have set a goal to read 1,000 books collectively this summer. All of us love to read, so this is exciting, not a chore. We even try to listen to some books as we drive to vacation destinations.” Danielle from Mommy and Me Book Club

[Tweet “Summer Learning Tip: Listen to audiobooks while traveling!”]

8. Join a Summer Reading Program
“I sign the kids up for the reading challenges at the library … and this year we are also doing MeMe Tales Readathon and No Time For Flash Cards Summer Reading Challenge.” Laura from Play Dr. Mom

9. Encourage Everyday Reading & Writing
“Since my son just learned to read and write last year in Kindergarten, I really try to encourage him to practice these skills in our everyday summer life.  Like reading the menu at the restaurant or signs when we are out and about.  Or writing a letter to his dad or writing a story to go along with a page he just colored.” Krissy from B-Inspired Mama

10. Play Games
“We encourage learning by playing more board games in the Summer. There is so much learning that takes place while playing. Take Candyland for example. There is the opportunity to learn colors and numbers. Also to follow rules, take turns, and be a good sport!” Crystal from Growing a Jeweled Rose

[Tweet “Summer Learning Tip: Play fun board games!”]

11. Work On Specific Goals
“We keep up with similar preschool activities at home that the kids do during the school year and reading never stops in this house, no matter the season. It’s also a good time to work on specific goals: for my son, we’re taking [some] time to focus on numbers and letters and for my daughter, we’re concentrating on learning to read.” Chrissy from The Outlaw Mom

12. Homeschool Year Round
“We homeschool, and we choose to school year round. Currently, we are doing about three light days a week. My oldest in kindergarten, so we will keep it light for quite awhile. Year round gives us flexibility for vacations, sick days, and grumpy days.” Allison from Train Up A Child

13. Schedule In Down Time
“[We] schedule in plenty of down time. My school age kids often choose to write stories during this time, but mostly they just enjoy the time being together, playing pretend.” Danielle from Mommy and Me Book Club

14. Let Summer Learning Come Naturally
“I don’t really do anything planned to promote summer learning. I think it comes so naturally for children in everything they do, that I don’t feel like I need to ‘create learning’ for our 5-year-old. We do normal summer activities – play outside, water the garden, go to the playground, take a couple of holidays – and the learning just comes naturally. For example, yesterday at a beachside restaurant looking out at the sea, she asked how it is that the sand at the bottom of the ocean doesn’t just suck up all the water (like it does when she puts water in the sandbox). She’s constantly thinking and learning about everything that she sees and experiences. My job, I believe, is just to let her experience things – the learning comes naturally.” Jane from Mama Pea Pod

[Tweet “Summer Learning Tip: Let them experience things – the learning comes naturally!”]

15. Enjoy Nature
“When they are outside, we’ll ask questions about what is happening around us so they remain connected to the wonders and mysteries around them. We’ll take walks with our journals and observe nature.” Shawn from Awesomely Awake

More Summer Learning Resources:

    

This post contains affiliate links.  Which just means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small percentage of the sale – without your price being any higher!  Thank you for your continued support.  For more information, see my disclosure policy.