Learning doesn't need to take a vacation
just because school is out for summer vacation or anytime
a family enjoys a holiday. We have included some tips to help keep
learning fun during any
brought to you by Kuman Math and Reading
Centres.
See the bottom of the
page for special tips for kids from www.hotelfun4kids.com.
A recent Statistics Canada survey on Canadian Social
Trends indicates that on an average day, parents spend
only four to nine minutes teaching their children, and
only four to five minutes reading to or talking with them.
These results are particularly alarming when you realize
that these same parents have reported spending between 277
to 317 minutes of leisure time each day!
These results may serve as a wake-up call to parents
and encourage them to spend more ‘quality time’ with
their children and take a more active role in their
child’s learning. What better time to start than now –
during the summer months when things traditionally slow
down.
As school breaks for the summer, it’s time to firm up
your family’s vacation plans and your children’s
summer activities. It’s also time to face the challenge
of how to keep each child’s academic skills sharp and
not undo progress made throughout the school year. Like
most of us, children would rather relax and play through
the summer. Unfortunately, though, it’s human nature to
forget much of what we learn – if we don’t use it.
In fact, it’s been reported that approximately 80 per
cent of what children learn in school is forgotten within
a month. This "forgetting factor" means a
typical child’s reading, writing and other core skills
tend to suffer during the summer. For children with
special learning needs and challenges, this loss can be
even more detrimental.
"Although summer usually means a holiday from
schoolwork, the fallout can be academic setbacks for your
children when they return to school in September. All too
often, students also lose their ability to focus and in
some cases, their motivation to learn,".
Dr. Michael Luther, an Educational Specialist with
Kumon Math & Reading Centres, suggests parents
consider the following ideas to interact with their
children and make summer learning fun while travelling:
Visit museums, art galleries, theme parks, zoos, sea
aquariums, waterfronts, cultural centres, historical sites
and ethnic festivals to create learning experiences for
the whole family.
Listen to "talking books" from a cassette
tape or CD during long car rides. This will broaden your
child’s vocabulary, reinforce grammatical skills and
expand his or her knowledge.
When driving, teach your children directionality, names
of towns, cities, capitals, provinces and states. Engage
in word and memory games to reinforce learning.
Take supplemental learning materials with you in your
travels so that children can practice skills on a daily
basis, whether on the road, at the cottage or on the
beach.
Plan camping excursions to national and provincial
parks and sign-up for nature hikes, canoeing trips,
walking tours and survival training.
Visit forests, ravines, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and
natural wonders (e.g. caves, mountains, escarpments) to
pave the way for informative discussions.
Take the family to historical sites such as forts,
castles and monuments as alternatives to shopping malls.
Aboriginal sites and cultural centres give everyone the
opportunity to experience Native Canadian art, customs and
traditions.
- News Canada
Tips from www.hotelfun4kids.com
1. Purchase or put together a
journal that kids can use to record their vacation
experiences. Take time every day to add an entry.
2. Encourage children to write
postcards and letters to friends while on vacation.
3. If you plan to have children
participate in Children's Club activities, look for
programs that are educational as well as fun.
The
above information and tips contained are provided by News
Canada.
All Tips are offered as suggestions only.
