Summer is the time for students and families to enjoy being outside, playing, and recharging from the school year. Another great summer activity that parents can encourage is reading! While many students (and adults) do not choose reading as a preferred activity, reading can take place in different settings that work for each family! We have a few suggestions below:
- Shared reading: Students and family members take turns reading a book together.
- Read aloud: Caregivers or older siblings read a book aloud to other family members. This could be a nightly picture book or a chapter from a longer book that could engage siblings of different age groups.
- Independent reading: Students of all ages are able to explore a book independently! Set time aside as family to engage in reading, whether together or independently.
In addition to reading, math skills can be easily practiced throughout the summer as well. A popular recommendation is flashcards of all math operations. Multiplication and division fluency facts are vitally important from 3rd grade on. Instead of purchasing flashcards, DIY flashcards are a great activity for students as it allows them to familiarize themselves with the information. Younger students can be involved in everyday chores and activities that use counting and other math concepts. Some ideas include:
- Setting the table allows your student to practice counting and making equal groups
- Folding laundry can turn into an activity to compare the amount of laundry in each category. Socks are a great way to reinforce the concept of even and odd numbers!
Students want to know why they are learning new concepts. Therefore, the summer is a great time to show students where these skills can be enjoyed and needed in everyday life!
