While we do homeschool year-round in our homeschool, we do tend to have a lighter load in the summer. This is a great time for us to use some of those learning resources that we don't get to as much as we would like to during our school year. So, today I'm sharing some ideas for you to keep learning going through the summer, especially if you take a summer break.
Tip 1: Summer Reading Challenge
During the school year we are typically doing our reading to correspond with what we are learning about. Summer is a great time to let your kids have a little more freedom of choice in the books they are choosing to read. Allowing them to read for pleasure is something that can be really valuable. And bonus, they are going to be keep up those reading skills while they are having fun.
Make it extra fun by completing a reading challenge! Check your local library to see what they offer. Barnes and Noble also has a summer reading challenge program where you kids get a free book at the end of the summer. And you can always just compete amongst your family members. Heck get some prizes as well. We really enjoy using Everyday Reading's Summer Reading Challenge printables in our home. Check them out here by clicking the image (not an affiliate link, just think they are adorable).
Tip 2: Fun Yet Educational Apps
Summer is a great time to let your kiddos go nuts with the educational apps. There are so many great ones to choose from. Some of our favorites include:
Night Zookeeper
Their tagline is "Make Reading & Writing Fantastical Fun", and that is exactly what they deliver! Kiddos are guided through the process of writing to create animals to fill their zoo. They can also take advantage of some pretty cool games that help build vocabulary, spelling skills, and much more. My kiddos love playing Night Zookeeper, so to them they are just getting some extra screen time playing a really fun game. They don't know that they are secretly learning a ton along the way! Click the image to head on over and try out their 7 day free trial! (this is an affiliate link, but even if it wasn't I would still share this great resource with you!)
Prodigy Math
Think mythical adventure meets math practice. Kids get to use magical powers to defeat creature and collect pets, but to win the battles they have a to solve some math problems! My kids spend hours playing this game. They it is a blast and they don't even realize they are learning.
And now they even have English curriculum as well. We have not personally tried that feature out yet, but you know we are going to this summer! Click the image to head to the website (not an affiliate link, just really love the program)
ABC Mouse and Adventure Academy
ABC Mouse has been around for quite some time. And all of my kiddos have been a fan for a short time. My older two girls have even used and loved Adventure Academy which is the slightly older kid version of ABC Mouse. Your kiddos really can learn a lot using this program and they don't even realize they are learning. Click the image below to head to their websites (not an affiliate link).
Tip 3: Child Led Learning Project
While I find Child Led Learning to be one of the most valuable styles of learning, it can be really difficult to pull of all year long. But doing one or two projects over the summer can be really fun and engaging for your kiddos. Let them lean into the passion projects and explore areas of interest further. Guide them along some research so they can learn more about something they find interesting. Here is a list of child-led learning projects we have done in the past:
Stop Motion Film
Baking
All Kinds of Art
Crochet
Sewing
Electric Circuits
Animal Care
Microscope Discovery (checking things out under a microscope and then learning more about it)
Tip 4: Vacation Learning
Going somewhere fun on a summer tip. Make sure to include a museum, historical site, or national/state park. Our family loves to learn about the places we visit. Honestly, it's just second nature to my kids. I don't even think they know they are still doing homeschool! The amount of things my kids still talk about years after we have visited somewhere is truly amazing. So take the opportunity to add in a little learning on those family trips.
Tip 5: Don't Stress It
Kids are constant learning on their own. We don't actually have to do anything as parents. Learning through play is one of the best way for kids to learn, so just let them play. Build a fort to do some reading in. Take a walk around the neighborhood and play a little color bingo or nature scavenger hunt. Make a mud kitchen in the back yard. Just think about those crazy fun things we did when we were kids. That's all they need.
So don't stress it. Feel free to take the summertime to relax and don't feel guilty about it! You work hard throughout the year. You and your kiddos deserve a break. I give you permission... take it! LOL
Learn more about summer learning with our YouTube video here:
Have you done any of these? Do you have any summer learning tips? Share them in the comments below!
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