by Hershel Tucker

Created on: June 05, 2009   Last Updated: July 20, 2009

To a child, summer means two things: warm weather and - more importantly - no school. As parents, however, we understand that three solid months without mental stimulation is not a good thing. According to research by John Hopkins University, children routinely score lower on tests given at summer's end than on the same test when taken at the beginning of summer. Students have also been shown to lose the equivalent of two months' grade level in both math and reading when not given the opportunity to continue learning during the summer months. It is critical for us, as parents, to make sure that our children are not deprived of opportunities for growth. The problem is, most of us don't know where to find productive activities in which our children can partake once school has ended.

The following list, while certainly not comprehensive, is a good launching pad for you to begin your child's summer learning activities.

1. Make it fun. This is important - summer is supposed to be fun for children. Just because we want them to continue using their minds throughout the summer months doesn't mean that we need to deprive them of their need to play. The answer is to find activities that appeal to your child's interests. Does he love animals? Give him a disposable camera and take him to the zoo. Get the film developed and have your child make a scrap book of the trip. This can be used as a starting point for an entire summer's worth of learning about different animals. This is just an example. The important thing to remember is that your child wants to have fun, and you want him or her to learn. There's no reason that those must be mutually exclusive goals.

2. Don't overdo it. While it is certainly important to keep your child mentally sharp during his or her vacation, it is equally important to remember that it is, indeed, a vacation.

3. Do research. The internet is your friend. There are myriad resources for parents to utilize in their search for children's summer activities. The National Center for Summer Learning (summerlearning.org) is one such resource. State Department of Education websites (such as Michigan's @ www.michigan.gov/mde) can also provide many resources for summer learning programs and activities.

4. Read together. One of the best ways to instill a love of reading in your child is to regularly read to them, from an early age. If they still need an extra push, however, it is best to remember rule 1: make it fun. Many local libraries have summer reading programs that are aimed at encouraging children to read. Alternatively, have them join "Scholastic's Summer Challenge!" available at www.scholastic.com/summerreading.

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