Summer is fast approaching and this year parents are asking what they can do to help their children and youths both catch up and be prepared for the next school year.  This year, maybe more than most years, is a time for balance.  Going full tilt into academics during the summer may not be the healthiest strategy in this stressful year.  This year school has been “on and off” and many people have faced many disruptions.  This year has been anything but usual for anyone, children included.  When things are unusual, life can be stressful.  When life is stressful, having fun can be a great way to reduce stress.

Here are 3 ways to have fun and help kids/youths learn at the same time:

1. Board games are an obvious choice for having fun and learning (and they are available for all ages).  Any game that requires remembering rules helps memory skills.  Memory skills are one of those things that need to be used to be maintained.  Memory is important for academic success.    Games that employ money and/or counting directly help math skills.  Games can be a great natural way to focus on communication skills; the talking that happens while playing is an integral part of the game.  Talking with others helps build communication skills and communication skills are essential for academic success.  Games can help build experience in recognizing patterns and following patterns; reading, writing and math require these same skills.  Board games are a natural way to have fun in a way that can translate or turn into academic success.
2. Another great way to have children learn and have fun at the same time is by reading.  If your child is a strong reader, you can get involved by reading the same book and having discussions.  If your child is not a strong reader, you can help your child by dividing up reading time; part of the time can be spent with your child reading books at his/her reading level, and part is spent with you reading books that your child will find interesting but cannot read for him/herself.  Vocabulary grows when children are exposed to concepts they can understand but may be beyond what they can read independently.  Reading together can be a fun way to learn new information, further develop skills and grow vocabulary.
3. Cooking together can be a third way to have fun, learn and continue to develop math and reading skills.  Reading recipes can be educational both for reading development and understanding the concept of fractions.  Changing recipes to double or half quantities helps directly with math.  Making the recipes allows for enjoyment of the cooked/baked items that were developed by reading and successfully manipulating fractions and measuring.  Cooking/baking also helps to develop planning skills.  Development of planning skills is important for academic success.

There is no doubt that this year has been an unusual one.  For many kids (and adults) life has been filled with many changes, adjustments and disruptions.  For lots of people of all ages, life has been stressful.  If you are focused on academic issues that this year has created for your child, my suggestion is that you use the summer months to address concerns about school disruptions while having fun with your children.  Fun activities that focus on memory, planning abilities, communication skills, reading and math will alleviate stress while at the same time help children be more likely ready for school in the fall.  Use this summer to have fun with your kids, reduce their stress (and yours) and help to prepare children and youth for the next school year.

Written by Registered Psychologist with Wildflowers, Tara Garratt.