暑假開始囉! 孩子們終於不用早睡早起，不用為孩子每天的午餐煩惱，更不需要閱讀，寫作或做數學練習題。當然，孩子每天在學校裡努力學習，他們絕對值得過一個難忘有趣的暑假。但是根據國家暑期學習協會的統計數據，孩子有可能會因為暑假而忘形，甚至在開學後會減少對學習的興趣與靈敏度。如果可以在暑假期間偷偷的加入一點學習的元素，就可以讓孩子們維持對學習的喜愛和增加其知識。絕對為這個假期增加不少樂趣喔！到底如何讓他們在暑假學習而不反感呢？以下是一些小訣竅，希望可以幫到各位正在苦惱的爸爸媽媽。

School’s out for summer. No need to make the kids go to sleep early every night, no need to pack lunch every day, and no need to read, write or practice math or is there? Undoubtedly kids work hard in school and deserve a fun summer break free from the demands of classrooms and homework. But, according to the National Summer Learning Association kids can lose up to two months of learning and the effects can be felt when school starts. But, this slide is preventable when learning is extended through the summer. The great news is with a little forethought learning can be made to feel so much like playtime that kids won’t even know you are sneaking a little education into their time off.

Patti Rommel, a former elementary educator and Director of Research and Development at Lakeshore Learning Materials shares her tips for preventing the summer backslide:

 1. Enjoy Family Game Nights: 每週家庭遊戲時間

Ms. Rommel recommends setting aside one night a week as “Family Game Night” and choosing games that require children to use strategy and think ahead, as well as games that involve reading, writing, or counting. Not only will your family enjoy playing together but kids will also experience learning in a casual, relaxed setting. Scrabble Jr. is a game my elementary aged son loves to play and Monopoly Jr. and Jenga are games my entire family, including my preschooler, love to play. A fun game for kids learning to read is Lakeshore Learning’s Read Around the House! Treasure Hunt Game that requires kids to identify letters then follow a clue to find everyday items. Older kids who can read will enjoy Scrabble Jr. and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. Dohdles is a guessing game where kids of all ages form an object out of modeling clay and opponents guess what it is – this game is also good for developing fine motor skills. All games involve an educational component — but don’t tell the kids.

Building with just about anything builds STEM skills

2. Encourage Creative Construction: 鼓勵孩子勇於創作：

To make the most of children’s natural curiosity Ms. Rommel encourages parents to provide opportunities for kids them innovate and invent. Provide kids with all kinds of building materials. Parents can challenge children to use the materials to invent any type of building, vehicle or contraption they can dream up. By building children will build STEM skills as they invent! My kids love building with Legos, ZOOBs, and Magnatiles and of course, the empty cardboard box. Young kids can build with large blocks that snap together, such as Green Toys’ chunky, colorful Block Set. Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty and Young Frank Architect by Frank Viva can provide some inspiration.

You only need a little patch of land to teach kids about gardening. No green thumb? Look for a kit.

3. Let It Grow: 種植園藝:

Learning can happen in your backyard. According to Ms. Rommel, nature is packed with learning possibilities and planning, planting and harvesting a vegetable garden will boost math and science skills. Together, choose seeds and research how they should be cared for. Use a ruler to draw a blueprint showing where each crop will go. With your child, read seed packets to find recommended spacing. Have your child take daily measurements and record each plant height. After harvesting your vegetables, set up a farmer’s market to build money skills! If you don’t trust your green thumb, try a kit like Seedling’s Junior Gardening Kit complete with tips for planting with kids and little gardener’s gloves. Another easy and fun option is Geek & Co.’s Garden Pirate kit that allows kids to make their own seed bombs. Have a garden already but need some kid-proof gardening tools? Check out the Green Toys Dig & Discover set that comes with a guide to outdoor activities for kids.

4. Turn Math Practice into a Game: 將數學元素加進遊戲裡：

Ms. Rommel recommends using sidewalk chalk to create a target game that boosts math and number skills. Throw a rock at the target and ask, Who landed on the largest number? The smallest? Can you add the numbers? Add more variations. Lakeshore Learning’s Add It Up Archery Set has been a big hit with my kids with my little one identifying the numbers on the target and the older one adding up all the scores. Younger kids can combine math with sensory play. I practice math with my preschooler with a new Little Tikes Treasure Hunt Sand and Water Table that comes with treasure. I ask her to find a certain number of jewels in the sand and coins in the water then add them up. I the ask Who found the most treasures? The least? How many are still missing?

Turn backyard archery into a math lesson

5. Go on a Reading Treasure Hunt : 閱讀尋寶樂園:

According to Ms. Rommel, filling kids’ summer with books, books and more books is one of the best ways to prevent summer slide. Even if your child can’t read yet you can go on a “Letter Hunt” or “Word Hunt” by prompting your child to find a letter or word and then challenging him to find as many instances of that letter or word as possible. Readers can go on an “Answer Hunt” by asking questions about the story, such as “Who did they sell Wilbur to?” You can time your child for an extra challenge. Older kids can use books they are interested in reading themselves, such as the Binky the Space Cat series by Ashley Spires.

6. Inspire Creativity : 激發創意：

Research shows that engaging in the arts helps develop cognitive and social/emotional skills. Invite kids to make a “Summer of 2015″ scrapbook, help kids make something they can use like Seelding’s Create Your Own Designer Soap Kit or something they can play with like Seedling’s Little Fairy Peg Kit.

7. Each week, choose a different event or activity to focus on: 每個禮拜選擇不同活動:
This will ensure a variety of educational experiences. You can take a picture and place it in your scrapbook and engage in activities related to the theme.

8. Engage in summer activities that incorporate learning through play: 選擇寓學習於遊戲的暑期活動：

No matter what you do, the most important part is that you and your child are engaging in activities together. To make your outings more fun and sneak in more learning try Seedling’s Great Adventure kit complete with an adventure bag, compass, and field notebook paired with a fun Nature Bingo kit that asks kids to look for birds, snails, and leaves.

9. Enroll in summer programs that blend fun, adventure, and learning: 參加融合冒險、娛樂和學習的暑期活動

Many public libraries have free summer reading programs that allow kids to earn prizes for reading. There are also online programs, such as Brain Chase, that combine math, reading, and writing with an adventure story. 

Try a summer program like the online Brain Chase that gets kids using decoders to solve a mystery using reading, writing, and math

10. Create a routine: 建立每日規律時間表

Without school, a child’s day can tend to lack structure throughout the summer months, making it hard for him or her to readjust once school starts. Summertime fun often includes adventures that make sticking to your routine difficult, but having that initial routine established can make it easier to transition back to your schedule.