Summer Learning for Kids--Avoid the Summer Slide!

Oh, my goodness!  Life around here is getting crazy!  What happened to the lazy days of summer?  Between piano lessons, gymnastics camp, and swimming lessons, it's hard to find time to get anything done!

Here's the dream schedule that I planned before summer began:

After a great night's sleep, I get up (with a smile) and read my scriptures and pray.  I get the kids up and they cheerfully get dressed, come down the stairs, empty the dishwasher and come to the family room to read scriptures together, pray and do some stretching.  (The kids love taking turns being in charge.)  Then we all eat breakfast and each do at least one job around the house.  Finally, the kids do a math practice drill, a math page and read for 20 minutes (while I take turns listening to each child).  Piano practice fits in there somewhere, too.  Sounds good, doesn't it?

While life has gotten a little too crazy to do the whole schedule every day, I have found a few things that make a huge difference.

1. Reading scriptures and praying together is a great way to start the day.  Those days have been the best so far.
2. Stretching really does make you feel better!  We've only been stretching for five minutes, but I can't believe how much happier and awake I feel when we're done.
3. Learning something every day can be fun!

Today I want to help you with step 3.  Whether you are interested in learning time at the kitchen table or learning time in the great outdoors, I've collected some great ideas for you to keep learning alive this summer!  Remember, summer learning for kids can and should be fun!

Summer Learning for Kids

*I'd love it if you pinned this post using the image at the beginning, but if you'd like to pin individual ideas, please pin directly from the sites linked under each image.  I know those bloggers will love to see you at their sites!

Summer Math Ideas

Do the Math Hopscotch from Spoonful

Everyday Math Ideas for Kids from KC Edventures

Splish Splash Water Math from Crayon Freckles

 11 Ways to Learn Math While Having Fun from School.FamilyEducation.com

Math Games and Drills from One Creative Mommy

Summer Science Ideas

Worm Observation Tower from Two-Daloo

Water Balloon Experiments from Train Up a Child

Exploding Sidewalk Art from Growing a Jeweled Rose

If your kids love bugs, check out my friend's site, Ants Alive, to get lots of science project ideas to learn about ants! (You can even buy your own ant farm!)

Summer Literacy Ideas

Top 10 Ways to Learn with Sidewalk Chalk from Train Up a Child Learn As We Go

100+ Printables and Web Activities for Kids Books from KC Edventures

Pre-K Learning Packs from Over the Big Moon

(Pam has created packs for all sorts of themes.  I linked you to the Pre-K pack category on her site so that you can pick your favorites.)

Phonogram Don't Eat Pete from OneCreativeMommy.com

Field Trips

The ABC's of Family Field Trips from KC Edventures

A Toddler's Ultimate Bucket List of Day Trips from More Fun Mom

What is the "Summer Slide," and how do I avoid it?

The other day, someone asked me the meaning of the term "Summer Slide."  (No, it has nothing to do with the dark-colored slides that burn the kiddo's legs during the summer.  But you should avoid those, too!)  At the end of the school year, the kids have learned a ton, and their test scores show it.  When they return the next year, after summer break, most kids have forgotten some of what they learned.  This back slide in learning is called "The Summer Slide."

Want to avoid it?  Keep your kids learning this summer.  That doesn't mean that you need to do summer school or focus on learning all day every day.  Just remember to add learning into the fun things you are already doing.  Keep the kids reading.  If they don't like to read, try a chart to work towards a goal.  (I have several free charts here.)

40+ Activities to Prevent the Summer Slide from The Weekly Kids Co-op

Have a great learning filled summer!  Thanks for stopping by!