Every year, after a summer packed with relaxation, travel, and various fun activities, a good number of students head back to school. However, the transition isn't always smooth. After months of break, they find it challenging to jump back into the rhythm of academic life. They struggle with motivation, attention spans, and readjusting to school routines, making it challenging for teachers to re-engage them in the learning process.
To address this issue, teachers typically dedicate up to a month reviewing the previous year’s material to help students catch up. This catch-up period is crucial, yet it's far from ideal given that the average school year in Canada includes only about 195 instructional days. Dedicating a sizable portion of this limited time to review means less time for new learning, putting students at a disadvantage.
For parents, this period requires patience and strategic planning. They must find ways to re-engage their kids and help them rebuild their study habits. With these creative tips shared in this blogpost, parents can benefit from finding innovative ways to rekindle their interest in learning over the summer and ease the transition back to school.
How Can You Help Your Child This Summer?
Let Them Be Kids
Play is a great avenue for learning, so make some play meaningful by challenging your children academically. Summer learning can be fun and rewarding, which will help in September. Encourage activities that combine fun and learning, such as educational board games, puzzles, or outdoor adventures that involve problem-solving and critical thinking. For example, setting up a treasure hunt with clues related to what they’ve learned during the school year can be both engaging and educational.
Visit a Library and Read Regularly
Libraries across Canada offer excellent summer reading programs designed to keep children engaged and improve their reading skills. Take a nice walk, bike ride, or drive to the library regularly. Prioritize daily reading with quiet time instead of screen time. Encourage your child to pick books that interest them and set aside time each day for reading. This could be a cozy corner at home or a quiet spot in the garden.
Get Enrolled in Summer Learning Programs
Children can have fun and learn simultaneously. Many community centers and local organizations across Canada offer summer programs that keep children engaged and mentally challenged. Look for programs that align with your child’s interests, whether it is a science camp, art classes, or sports clinics. These programs often combine learning with play, helping children to retain information better and develop new skills. To further support your child's learning, consider our large pool of certified private tutors who can cater to a variety of subjects and learning interests. Just 2 hours a week with our tutors can make a significant difference, keeping your child's mind active and engaged all summer long.
Beat the Boredom...Find the Balance
Find engaging activities through sports, arts, and family activities. Keeping children busy with a variety of activities helps in balancing leisure with learning. Engage your child in activities like painting, crafting, cooking, or even gardening. These activities can be both fun and educational, teaching them new skills and keeping their minds active. Balance structured learning with free play to ensure they enjoy their summer while still preparing for the next school year.
Age-Specific Tips
Ages 6-8
Work on building good habits by playing games that are simple yet challenging. Memory games can require concentration and develop good habits for learners. A simple journal that uses pictures, numbers, and words can help track daily events to reflect on. Turn everyday normal activities into learning events. Stories, books, and even TV shows can be used to work on predicting, recalling, and sharing summaries to learn comprehension.
Ages 9-11
Teaching how to use a planner either in writing or through various electronic tools can be extremely rewarding for children. Shared family electronic calendars can be a wonderful way to encourage planning and scheduling skills. This age child will also be able to use more electronic tools, with adult supervision, in a positive manner for learning benefits like reading and foundational math skills.
Ages 12-13
More focused work habits can be used to challenge this age child. Specific subject needs can be explored and practiced with various online resources for reading, writing, and math. Who best then a certified educator to assist!
Connect-Education connects parents with certified classroom teachers for personalized lesson planning, quality tutoring, and comprehensive academic support. Here’s why you should consider us: