The Kids Are Losing It?!

Wow! The summer is really getting away from us.  I didn't realize how fast the first month of summer break from school could go!  It has been fun and extremely busy... but well worth it.  To think of all the memories our family has already created for "Summer 2012", and the many more yet to come. 

This topic... summer break... brings to light a subject idea for this month's discussion.  Summer Learning Loss.  I know it sounds like a made up phenom; however, it is something that has been referred to in educational research studies since the 1990's. 

What is "summer learning loss"?  Quite generically put... it's the loss of knowledge that a child (or even college student) has while on summer break each year.  A research study done in 1996 proved that children's test scores conducted at the end of the school year (April/May) were at least one month lower upon returning to school in August.  The documented knowledge loss has been noted by researchers as being more prominent in the areas of math and spelling.  It has been largely speculated that a variety of factors (including socioeconomic capabilities) play a role in the severity of summer learning loss for children of all ages.

So, what can parents do to help keep their child from falling into the statistical number of kids who regress a month's worth of learning over the summer? 

1. Read to your child a little every summer night before bed.  Or, if he/she is old enough, have them read to you!
2. Take small trips together that encourage learning.  It doesn't have to cost anything or take a lot of time.  A simple bike ride or walk can be educational if you make it.  Have your child count things on along the path (like trees or birds).  You can even make it a simple addition or subtraction game!
3. Play games!  Playing board games is a great way to keep the youthful mind on track.  Go Fish for the younger kids is great.  And who could go wrong with Yahtzee :)
4. Explain your summer in writing.  Kids of all ages love to create things... so sit down and have your son/daughter write a short letter to someone (grandma, aunt, etc) about what they've done this summer.  It is a great way to keep up penmanship and spelling skills.  (Emmalie and her 1st grade teacher have become quite the pen pals this summer already!).
5. Let your child help out in the kitchen as a math lesson on measurements and simple fractions.  Cookie baking can be fun and educational on so many levels!
6. If you find yourself in the car with your kids a lot of the time (between baseball games or work), have your children read aloud the signs along the way.
7. Visit your local public library with the kids.  In fact, most library's offer some type of summer reading program that offers a small reward to each child that meets their summer reading goal (like free ice-cream certificates YUM!).
8. Most importantly... never let the chance to build upon your child's knowledge pass you by just because it's summer.  It IS possible to have vacations and tons of fun while still learning a few things along the way!

If all else fails, there are a number of educational websites that provide free worksheets on a variety of subjects based on school grade.  Some of my favorites are TLS Books (Pre-K thru 6th grade), Soft Schools (Pre-K thru Middle School), Scholastic Printables (Pre-K thru Middle School) and Education.com (Pre-K thru High School). 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer thus far.  Stay safe, have plenty of fun... and don't forget to point out the education all around so your children can escape the trend of the dreaded "summer learning loss"!

Until next time...

Prayer Request

My cousin Patti gave birth to her triplet boys on May 31st... at 27 weeks, 2 days. The boys are doing well at this point (all showing promise for their micro preemie status). But they are definitely in need of some prayers, as a NICU experience of this nature is like a roller coaster ride.

So please say an extra prayer for Patti, her husband Ryan and the boys (Anderson, Brennan and Reagan).

Shelia

Sheer MAY-hem

Mayhem - a state of rowdy disorder.

Well, that about sums up our month of May... true Mayhem.  It started and ended with a bang... right up to the beginning of June.  Four kids, four different directions, four sets of activities (many coinciding with another)... to the point of disorder amongst our usually structured lives. 

May around our home started with baseball games and tournaments gallore...

It was a hot final tournament of the season!

Dalton all smiles... he caught hard in their home tournament.

Celebration at HOME plate!!!!

It continued with graduations, school parties and field activities...

Emmalie strikes a pose at Pre-K graduation.

Bethie and her BFF Chadisty at Pre-K Graduation.

Bethanie gets a kiss from Daddy at a graduation party.

(She has him wrapped around her pinky!)

Family, friends and the "official" start-up party for the 2012 MHS football season...

Public Speaking... you know how I like to talk!

Love heading up the backer program for MHS football though!

Ever fed 100 hungry teenage football players free BBQ.

Then add the parents and coaches too!!!

Add in a little blunder of an accident ala one teenage boy...

And you pretty much have an understanding of the happenings around these parts for May.  Gosh!  We sure are hoping June is a little more orderly and relaxed.  But with two softball games a week, football camps and busy work schedules... I doubt it :-)