During the school year, kids actively engage their brains through classes and tutoring. However, once the final bell rings for summer, they may spend months away from their teachers and books and can fall into a summer slump that slows down their learning once they return to school. Here are four ways to prevent your kids from losing the skills and knowledge they’ve learned over the year.  

How to Encourage Your Kids to Stay Mentally Active This Season

1. Join a Local Library

Reading can help kids improve their comprehension and language skills. It can also offer education on many subjects. Enroll your kids in a local library summer reading program where they can set and track how many books they read and spend time with peers. Encourage them to check out fiction and nonfiction on subjects they like to keep them engaged.

2. Encourage Cooking

Making food isn’t just about creating tasty dishes—it’s also a lesson in problem solving and math. Cook with your kids this summer. Let them choose the recipe and count up the totals to stick to a budget while purchasing ingredients. Then, have them lead the way through every step of the recipe as you offer safety tips and advice as needed.

3. Facilitate Imaginative Play

When children play make-believe, they’re developing critical skills, including the ability to socialize, negotiate, cooperate, and practice emotional control. Facilitate playdates this summer and offer plenty of materials from costumes to arts and craft supplies to help your kids and their friends create imaginary worlds to play in.

4. Arrange for Tutoring

Summer is an excellent time for students to reinforce what they learned last school year and prepare for upcoming classes. Help your kids gain confidence and understanding of tough subjects by hiring a tutoring professional. They will go over old materials with them and help them advance further to keep your kids on track for the fall.

Parents and guardians interested in summer tutoring should contact Wonderland School in Hays County, TX, to learn about their academic programs. The school has over 50 years of experience educating kindergarten through sixth-grade students in subjects from Spanish and reading to art and computer technology. Visit the website for information on their curriculum and why they believe building a strong foundation and social skills are key assets for all students. Or call the San Marcos-area school at (512) 392-9404 with questions about enrollment. By mentioning you discovered them online, you’ll receive a free gift.