Prevent the ‘summer slide’ no matter what you have planned for school vacation

Summer break is almost here, and there is a lot of talk about the dreaded “summer slide.” Is there anything I can do to help my kids keep up with their learning over the summer?

Summer is the perfect time to give your kids authentic learning experiences! Are you going to be traveling this summer within the 50 states? National parks are an exciting way to explore and learn as a family, and thanks to the Every Kid in a Park initiative, every fourth grader can get a pass for himself and his family to visit any national park for free!

Headed to the beach this summer? Remember to pack books along with the sunscreen. Summer is a great time to model for your kids the pleasure of reading for fun.

If your child will be away at camp, write her letters that include a lot of questions for her to respond to. Correspondence is the perfect way for kids to review their grammar and spelling skills in a meaningful way.

If you plan on staying close to home this summer, don’t forget that New York City is filled with museums and landmarks that you can take family “field trips” to. There, kids can learn and get hands-on experiences that can build their background knowledge about topics that will be covered during the school year.

Also, check in with your local library about any educational programs it might be hosting this summer. The programs are usually free, plus they are a great place to cool down with a new book on those scorching summer days.