by Andrea Coventry

Created on: June 09, 2009   Last Updated: July 20, 2009

Studies show that children tend to lose a significant amount of knowledge over those long summer months. While summertime is a time to be more carefree and enjoy the freedom of childhood, it is also a great time to expand your child's skills and keep his mind active to prepare him for the fall.

Academic Learning Practice

Some schools offer summer school programs. Your child's teacher may be able to provide you with some activities and worksheets to use over the summer. Cheap workbooks abound in many retail stores, and free worksheets can easily be found online. Some teachers, high school students, or college students may be available to tutor your child, or to design an enrichment program for one-on-one instruction over the summer months.

Nature Learning

Contact your local Parks and Recreation Department to see what kind of summer programs they offer. Parks also often provide free musical concerts and nature guides for self-exploration in the park. Take regular nature walks with your family, either in the parks, or around your neighborhood. Use library books or internet research to help you determine the creatures and plants you experience. Create a container garden at your apartment or dig up a garden in your yard. Experiment with flowers or vegetables and watch your goodies grow.

Recreation Centers

Contact your local rec centers and YMCAs to inquire what free and low-cost programs they may have available for the summer months. Older children may also be able to volunteer to help work. They will also provide a great way to incorporate much-needed physical activity into your child's day.

Drop Everything and Read!

Continue the practice of DEAR even over the summer months. Mandate a quiet hour for everyone in the household on a daily basis. Look for reading programs and incentives at your local libraries and bookstores. Model reading on a regular basis, be it books, newspapers, or magazines. Research a favorite topic.

Big Messy Art Projects

Set the kids loose outside with big messy art projects, including paints, shaving cream, colored water, and more. Let them explore their creative sides while having fun in the sun.

Volunteer.

Visit local nursing homes and hospitals to inquire about volunteer opportunities or just to visit people. Contact your local animal shelter to see if dogs need to be walked or if they have any other volunteer opportunities. Learning to care for an animal is beneficial to a child's mental and emotional development.

Neighborhood Competition

Set up competitions in your neighborhood. Encourage the children to come up with their own games. Have them design a "Show What You Know" fair, researching their favorite topics and creating projects to share with each other. Encourage them to write, direct, and put on their own dramatic performances. Put each house in charge of a particular theme for a week, such as art or cooking, and have the children rotate from house to house as they explore each home's activities.

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