Making the Most of Your Child's Spring Break
Within 24 to 48 hours after learning new concepts, students often begin to forget information unless it is reinforced or applied immediately. That's why, during school breaks, even the best students forget lessons they have learned during the school year.
While a break from school is great for recharging your children's batteries, if students aren't using the skills they acquired in the classroom, they could find themselves lagging behind once the school bell rings again. Following are great ways to help your child continue to learn, in a fun way, when away from the classroom.
- Writing-To help writing skills, encourage your child to start a diary or write letters to a grandparent or friend. If you are traveling on a vacation, ask your child to keep a travel journal recording where you stayed and what you did. At the end of the day, talk through the activities with your child and help him or her with a journal. It not only improves writing skills, but also creates great family memories.
- Mathematics-Helping mom or dad with the grocery shopping develops opportunities to use math skills, such as making change, weighing fruits and vegetables, etc. Providing assistance with cooking can also familiarize children with weights and measurements, organization, planning, and following a recipe. Perhaps you and your children could make a special dessert for the whole family. Help them pick a recipe, create an ingredients list and go shopping together.
- Reading-You can't start too early. You can't read too much. Reading to young children nurtures an interest in languages, words, and communication. For older kids, reading together can be fun and interesting. Children also learn by example. If parents are setting aside time to read, it reinforces the fun and enjoyment of reading. Local libraries offer infinite resources for children. Librarians can recommend books appropriate for your child's reading level and interests, and many libraries offer free children's programs and clubs.
- Analysis and Logic-Many family games and puzzles are not only fun, but help children develop and reinforce skills. A simple card game can involve mathematics, analysis, and logical thinking. Be sure to select games appropriate for your child's age level.
Enjoy your child's spring break!
Beat the Winter Blues
How did your child do in the first half of the school year? Were you pleased with his or her performance, or do you think there is room for improvement? No matter what letters appeared on the report card, now is the perfect time to get excited about learning and improving grades.
This can be accomplished by creating an atmosphere in your home that encourages learning. Here are a few tips to help you get involved with your child's learning process and help motivate him or her this semester.
- Have a family reading time at least once a week. Utilize Book Adventure, a free Sylvan created interactive, reading motivation program that can be found at http://www.bookadventure.com/. Students choose their own books from more than 7,000 titles, take short comprehension quizzes and redeem their accumulated points for small prizes. Book Adventure also offers teacher and parent resources and tips to help children develop a lifelong love of reading.
- Set aside a specific time for homework and studying. Take advantage of this quiet time to sit with your child and work on your paperwork. This visually demonstrates the importance of "work time" to your child.
- If homework was a struggle during the first semester, set up a reward system for the rest of the school year. For example, deposit change in a small jar when homework is complete. As soon as the jar is full, treat the whole family to something everyone will enjoy.
- Refresh your child's study space. Make sure that all materials are easily accessible and in adequate supply.
- Create study plans. Have your child do his most challenging assignment first, while he or she is most focused, then have him or her work on easier tasks. Finish the homework session with a fun activity.
- Search the Internet with your child to learn more about the topics being covered in school.
- Invite your child to participate in cooking or shopping to strengthen his or her math skills.
- Get your child organized inside and outside of school. By being organized, your child will have plenty of time to complete all assignments, and he or she will also learn the value of time management.
- Talk to your child's teachers. Find out if your child needs extra help in a specific subject in order to keep up with the class.
For more educational resources for children in all grades, please visit http://www.educate.com/.
Labels: education
