We all know that summer is a time when kids want a break from school, but it’s important to keep your children’s minds busy so they don’t suffer from learning loss. Here are some fun, simple things you can do to keep your kids academically engaged this summer.
Become involved in your school’s summer reading program.
Connect with your local library.
Bake or cook with your children. Double the recipe and put those math skills to work.
Plant a garden or container garden and read the seed packets for directions.
Check local bookstores for story times and author visits.
Keep statistics at a baseball game or other sporting events.
Play alphabet games with street signs when in the car.
Give children a map to help plan out and follow along during a summer road trip.
Listen to books on tape in the car.
Read books, magazines or newspapers together as a family.
Posted Jul 31st 2009 9:06 AM by Maranda
Filed under: Where You Live
My friends Tommy and Brook from STAR 105.7 have been with us at every Park Party this summer. Yesterday the surprised me with thousands of thank you notes from kids and families that they had been collecting throughout the summer. It was amazing and overwhelming!! Check it out at westmichiganstar.com and click on Tommy and Brook.
Here’s a few of the notes:
“As a single mom with money tight my kids can’t wait to come to the Park Party for all the fun. Thanks a bunch!”
Reading at National Heritage Academies schools is our number one priority. As parents and caregivers, you can help lay down the foundation for a love of reading and nurture children’s development. Here are some things you can do to raise a lifelong reader:
Make Time to Read
Try to read with your child every day at a regularly scheduled time. If possible, choose a time when you can be relaxed and not rushed. If you have more than one child, spend time reading with each child separately, especially if they’re more than two years apart. On days that are particularly hectic, bring a few books when you take children along on errands. Taking time to read to children on a regular basis sends the message that reading is worthwhile.
One More Time…PLEASE?! As every adult who cares for children knows, they often ask to hear the same story again and again. They delight in knowing what comes next and often learn a favorite book so well that they can quote it on their own. That favorite story may speak to your child’s current interests and emotional needs, so it’s important for the adults in their lives to be patient during this phase. Young children are eventually ready for different stories if they are continuously exposed to a variety of books.
What a great day for our sixth Park Party of the summer! Our event took place at UpJohn Park in Kalamazoo and it was a beautiful thing! City officials estimated 4,5000 in attendance. It was great to meet so many kids and families! A huge thanks to the City for hosting us, to all of our amazing sponsors and the great non-profit organizations that provided activities and resources for families. Thursdays in the summer are for sure my favorite day of the week because I love meeting so many kind, appreciative families that come out to our events.
On Thursday, July 23 we’ll be bringing FREE Park Party fun to UpJohn Park in Kalamazoo. This is a great park with a lot of green space, a beautiful pool, new playground, tennis courts and a skate park. I’d suggest you bring along your swimsuits and plan to spend a few hours at the park after the party! Pool admission is $1.50 for those 17 and under and $3.00 for adults. Once again, come early to get a good parking spot and to enjoy a free lunch offered for anyone 18 and under. The actual Park Party takes place from noon until 2 p.m. Lines could be long so pick out one thing your kids really want to do and get in that line right away. Then, make your way around the park to enjoy free ice cream, Cheese Kurls, entertainment, actvities and more. It may be warm so bring a few bottles of water for your kids. We offer free Ice Mountain water while supplies last but it’s always good to come prepared! I hope you and your family can join us at UpJohn Park on Thursday! It should be a great day!
The beach can be a great place to kick back and relax. It can also be a great place to get the entire family up and moving. Here are some ideas to get the entire family active next time you’re at the beach.
Throw a football, frisbee or start a game of beach volleyball.
Take a walk down the beach.
Have a sandcastle building competition.
Have a race doing the “crab-walk” or “bear-walk” in the sand.
Start your own beach olympics. Have stations set-up in the sand where the kids can do jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups and run in place. Have them spend 30 seconds at each station and then rotate.
What’s most important is that you’re having fun as a family!
We all know that summer is a time when kids want a break from school, but it’s important to keep your children’s minds busy so they don’t suffer from learning loss. Here are some fun, simple things you can do to keep your kids academically engaged this summer.
