Tips to keep kids’ brains active over summer

Students aren't the only ones taking a break during summer vacation. Their brains do, too.

Research has shown that students can lose one to three months of math and reading skills in the weeks they aren't in school.

You can stop it, though, without tossing the television out the window or shackling your children to their desks. Summer vacation is all about fun and there are plenty of opportunities to make learning fun, too. Ask your child's teacher for suggestions.

Brandon Bauer, a fourth-grade teacher at Pierce Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, maintains a homepage on the school's website with links - to online games or videos - that break down what the students have learned in class in fun and entertaining ways for parents to access for summer review.

Michele Dorrance, a second-grade teacher at Wright Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, also recommends education websites as a way for students to practice skills they learned in school.

Dorrance sends a list of websites home with her students' report cards on the last day of school, along with packets of information on journal writing, math activities and comprehension sheets for reading. She provides writing prompts to encourage daily writing and will remind families of summer reading programs.

“I'm also going to include a list of places families can go see and do that are inexpensive and educational,” Dorrance says.

Some places on her list include the Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center, Indian Creek Nature Center and the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History.

“My theory is that anything that introduces them to something new or gets them to do something different is good for them,” says Sandi Straetker, a Coralville parent. “Things like going to an art fair and investigating different kinds of art, trying different ethnic foods, listening to music they don't always hear are all ways for them to ‘learn' without them realizing it.”

Erica Jessen in Iowa City says she used to give her children worksheets to complete during the summer, but realized her kids had more fun making up their own assignments.

“It started with doing a book report where they dressed up like the main character and went from there,” Jessen says. “We still have flash cards for math review, but I now let them choose what to do for reading and writing. It's been fun to see what they come up with when there are no restrictions.”

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