Lets Not Let Our Kids Slide This Summer + Win $150 value Giveaway

With the summer holidays approaching, it is time for me to think about how I am going to keep my children occupied during the long sunny days, and prevent them from sliding away from the knowledge they gained during the school year. As a parent, I think it is my responsibility to provide my children with the materials they need to keep up-to- speed and learn not only from books, but also from the environment around them. 

We have a little more time during the summer months compared to the short and routine winter months, so my family and I go on road trips and explore new places as well as visit some old favourites. During our road trips, instead of giving electronics I find taking a few books with us is a good way to keep the children occupied and keep them busy and have conversations.

In my previous post, I mentioned a few things we can do with our children such as...

• Letting them explore different summer camps to get an exposure for new passion.
• Doing a variety of crafts and learning a few new ones.
• Getting them involved in the kitchen to bake and cook, which is a good way to learn math, read and about nutrition.
• Biking, going on walks, playing in the park, letting children help in the garden, and allowing the time and place for them to practice their physical skills, and just be outdoors.
• Leaving lots of time for free play. After all, free play is the best way for children to learn and become curious.

Research shows that summer vacation is a time when many students decline in their academic development. It also shows that children who do not read over the summer lose more than two months of reading achievement. You can download activity sheets to keep your children occupied and learn during the summer months from here. These activities will help them gain language skills and get our children ready for the upcoming academic year.

Few tips on choosing and reading books with our children...

• Younger children like rigid book pages that they can hold and look at the colours. Children will like interactive books that they can lift the flaps, listen to sounds and touch different textures.
• Entertain children by using different voices, tones and mimic different characters to keep the book lively, so children can recognize emotions on the tone and see facial expressions.
• Choose a variety of books that will teach children about different places, cultures and countries.
• Make reading a comfort such as by snuggling up.
• If there are favourite parts in the book read them over, so children know we are paying attention to what they like.
• Regardless of children's age regularly reading during a specified time such as bedtime will make reading enjoyable and allow children to relax.

This book Junior Genius Guides from Jeopardy champion, Ken Jennings' is a children's series that teaches our children about a variety of subjects such as geography, maps, Greek mythology and more. Since the book is written in a child friendly manner with illustrations, trivia and fun quizzes it allows our children to be entertained. I like that the author reminds children that being a Junior Genius is a state of mind that requires them to be curious and is not about looks or performance.

Younger children will like books such as "Naked", which talks about why we need to wear clothes. Children will find these types of books to be funny and will be able to relate to, which in turn will make reading fun.

Giveaway:

I am glad to bring this giveaway that includes books valued at $150 that will prevent children from the #summerslide. This giveaway is open to everyone in Canada until June 30. Please follow my social media networks and leave comments to be eligible to win. 
Update: The winner is Maria cozycomfycouch

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2014. Please Ask First