HRM Parent Blog

by guest blogger Lorelei Burgess, Centre Director Oxford Learning. 

It's June. The sun has finally begun to shine and our thoughts are turning to summer vacation. By now, you've likely spent time thinking about what your children will do this summer. Too often activities, lessons and sports are planned that will keep our children entertained and active during the summer months while overlooking their educational needs. It is imperative that a break from school does not mean a break from learning.
 
Studies show that the lack of school structure leads to unhealthy eating, lack of sleep and a regression of academic skills accumulated during the year. It can take a month or more to get back into the swing of things once school starts. So, what can you do? Make a plan. Before kids have a chance to plan a summer filled with video games, television, staying up late and sleeping in, make a plan. Even the simple act of having a plan in place can help keep kids on track academically.
 
Learning does not have to be formal but it does have to continue.

Plan to read together and take turns reading out loud. When it's your turn make sure you demonstrate how much fun reading can be. Reading out loud will help improve your child's reading fluency which will lead to increased reading comprehension. If they are reading word by word it's simply a list of words without context by the time they get to the end of the sentence. Have them practice sticking the words together or sewing the words together with an imaginary needle and thread as they read. Be sure to have a discussion about what was read to ensure understanding and build reading comprehension skills.

Set a schedule. Children are used to following a routine during the school day, so sticking to a routine during summer vacation is natural and comforting for children. Summer shouldn't be about lazy, carefree days. Bottom line, kids need structure and you'll appreciate it when September rolls around! 

Play a board game. Board games teach all kinds of skills that video games don't including organization, persistence, planning and can lead to improved memory skills. Games that use memory can teach essential mathematical skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication and even estimation. Bring on the board games!
 
 

With two locations in Halifax, Oxford Learning goes beyond tutoring, to help ignite your child’s interest in learning, not just for one school year, but for a lifetime. To find out more on how they can assist your children, visit their facebook page or website.