Summer Smarts There’s much more to summer learning than just academics. Get creative to prevent learning loss. LEARNING
SUMMER VACATION IS FINALLY HERE and it’s time for kids to let loose. But who’s to say children can’t build up their brain power while they’re having fun. Keeping your child’s brain engaged can help prevent learning loss, aka, the summer slide. Not everyone can afford a fancy summer camp or a private tutor and some parents may not be able to take time off work to focus on academics. It may seem unfair to families who choose not to focus on school as their children may feel behind. However, there are more ways to learn than you might think. “There’s such pressure on kids,” says Willough Jenkins, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Rady Children’s and inpatient medical director of the Hospital’s Child Adolescent Psychiatry Services. “Some families are very academically focused during the summer and they’re raising the bar so high that it’s almost unfair. But academics is only one piece of a child’s development.” Meaningful learning opportunities can come in many forms, she says. Experiences like travel or simply trying out something new can be valuable to a child’s overall development. The skills
that children learn during the school year remain important, but many can be translated into summer vacation-friendly versions. Sign your child up to read to shelter pets or have them read the menu aloud next time you go out to eat. Search the internet for age-appropriate STEM activities your child can do at home, or practice numbers during a trip to the grocery store. Also, involving kids in your day-to-day activities, like cooking, cleaning and even working can be educational—and it keeps them away from those pesky screens. “Find small ways to keep some of the skills going,” says Dr. Jenkins. “Most children don’t enjoy doing worksheets, so finding a way to make it more natural and fun is fantastic.” Dr. Jenkins advises parents not to stress too much about traditional academics during the summer because most children are able to regain any lost skills once school starts. However, learning loss may be more pronounced if your child was already falling behind before summer vacation or has a learning disability and it may take more time and effort to catch up.
FUN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK
Get outside. Spending time in nature is rife with educational opportunities. Try a guided nature walk where your child can learn about native flora and fauna. It’s also a great way to get your child moving. Start a business. A lemonade stand is a classic for a reason. It’s a great way for kids to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills, interact with people in their community and supplement their allowance. Give back. Philanthropy is an attribute that will benefit both your child and the community. Thinking about the greater good instills a sense of responsibility and helps kids develop empathy and social skills. Find a cause that’s important to your child and find out how to donate or volunteer.
Read to win. The San Diego Library has a summer reading program that offers participants rewards for logging the books they read. The library has other great programs, too. Check out Library NExT, a series of STEAM workshops at various branches that cover everything from Python programming to the science of Harry Potter. Join a club. Youth organizations, such as the Girl and Boy Scouts and Junior Achievement, allow kids opportunities to learn new things and make new friends.
You don’t need an expensive summer camp or programs with a laundry list of extra equipment to keep your kids busy this summer. San Diego is full of free and low-cost fun that can boost brain power. Get cultured. Several of Balboa Park’s museums and cultural institutions offer free admission to San Diego County residents, active-duty military and their dependents on certain days, including the Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Air & Space Museum and the Comic-Con Museum. See the whole list of resident free days at balboapark.org.
SUMMER 2023 HEALTHY KIDS MAGAZINE 7
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