by Misty Beyer

Created on: June 06, 2009   Last Updated: July 20, 2009

School is out, summer is in!

This does not mean their educational lesson's stop the minute they walk through the front door. You now have become the full time teacher. Summer gives us as parents an opportunity to reconnect with our children. During school hour's homework was checked every night and studies were done most often. The only difference now is you are the one giving the assignments.

A great place to start is your local library.

Most libraries have summer reading programs. These programs are not only fun but rewards are given and a boost of confidence is learned through the child's accomplishments. Make reading fun by letting your child tell you what they are interested in, take what you have learned and help your child pick out books that make them happy. Let them read to you as much as you can. Reading no matter what the subject is about, Can be a wonderful exercise for the brain. Usually the library will also provide great activities for children like ; Movie day, Crafts corner, and Story telling for the younger children. Here the children can learn and have fun too! With an added bonus of everything being free.

All things educational don't always start and stop with a book.
As adult's we can loose track of learning examples because we know what we are doing when it comes to the basics. Shopping is a good way of brushing up your child's math skills. Make a list and have your child help you in the shopping department. Give them the essentials like a small notebook and pencil. Let them add , subtract, multiply , divide, and figure percents. Give them verbal word problems like "Oh no I need the butter but I only have this much to get all things needed." Applying skills,Comprehension, and solving problems are all parts of every child's learning process when it comes to math. Make it fun and be creative, Don't forget their candy or fruit as a reward.

If you are planning a road trip or vacation of some type, Then you can take this time to get involved in history,maps, graphs, and geography. Look up information about the place's you will pass through. Fun fact's or interesting history is a great way to make up games while on your trip. Give your child an extra map so you can ask questions like, "Where are we?" or "How far to the next place?" The older the child the more complicated the questions should be. Include as much question and answer sessions as possible. This is the best way to make your child feel they are included in all things that surround them.

There are plenty of things to do around your community.

A little research can go a long way with assisting you in challenging your child's skills.

If you can, volunteer some of your family time to help out a cause. Plant a tree or some plants for the science aspect. Bonus teaching your child to take care of his earth. Visit a recycle plant and take a tour. Have a clean up the "Neighborhood Day" Go around picking up trash and recycle what you can. Other science idea's go on a nature walk write down the different types of animals and living organism you see. Discuss what you know about them. If you don't know what your looking at, Try finding it on the Internet with your child.
I am a firm believer that education is not what bores a child, Just the way it is presented. If it's not fun, it will not grab the attention of our future minds of the world. Try not to stay on a subject too long. Keep it light and fun. Laughter and jokes can help with your lessons.

Keep the backpack near at all times. Fill it with pencils, tiny note books, calculator, a daily planner, map's, and fun activity work books. Take it where ever you go. You never know when an opportunity will pop out at you for a lesson.

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