For many parents, finding the right preschool can take weeks or even months. In 2013, nearly 84% of five-year-old children were enrolled in preprimary programs, so there’s a pressure for parents to give their children the early educational experience they need to succeed. If your child has a year or two of preschool experience under her belt, she’ll probably have a high level of grade school readiness come fall. But whether your child will be attending primary school for the first time next year or you’re in need of some back to school tips for your older children, it’s never too early to start preparing. In fact, summertime provides all kinds of opportunities for continued learning. To ensure your child is ready for another year when autumn rolls around, you’ll want to follow these five tips.
Sign up for summer camp
Although sports-related camps are great, there are plenty of summer camps with an educational spin that will keep your children engaged and growing. These camps may be run through local organizations, museums, community centers, or even your school. Whether your child loves fun science experiments, has an interest in animals, or wants to explore faraway lands and planets, there’s likely a camp that can get them thinking and learning. Maintaining an active mind is one of the best back to school tips we can offer.
Drop everything and read
Making regular trips to your local library and setting aside read-aloud time can make a huge difference in your students’ interest in reading and in their reading comprehension levels. Many libraries have story time for local kids and may even host reading contests to see who can read the most books during the summer. If you’re able to make reading magical, rather than a chore, your children will seek out books instead of shying away from them. The key is getting children excited about reading. You could even act books out at home or create companion activities to the books you read together.
Encourage creative expression
If your child knows how to write, creative writing can be a fantastic outlet and can help them express their thoughts and feelings. You can encourage them to write a paragraph every day or help them write a few sentences and let them illustrate a picture to go along with it. In general, creativity begets creativity; in other words, their participation in a creative outlet — like performing, arts and crafts, storytelling, or even playing games — can make them more innovative in other parts of their life. They’ll learn to think outside the box and solve problems in new ways. This can be just as important for their development as any other educational activity.
Make math delicious
Numbers and math may not appeal to many kids, but you can help make them a bit more accessible — and yummy. Get your child involved in making healthy treats in the kitchen. You’ll pique their interest with the promise of deliciousness and will manage to bake some math right in. While younger children won’t grasp exactly how measurements relate to numbers, you’re still solidifying the idea that by combining several parts, you’re making a whole new recipe.
Visit local museums
During the summertime, your local museums are a great resource for learning and a welcome escape from the heat or rainstorm. Museums have exhibits that truly make learning fun for children. With focuses on science, math, nature, history, and even play and how it helps kids grow, these centers will soon become a favorite for your children. Many museums will even offer discounts for families during the summer season as a way of encouraging educational activities during the break.
To find out more about area summer camps or to learn more about our preschool programs, contact Learn and Grow Academy today.