Summer: time for the R's

ADAM GELMON

Summer vacation can be a wonderful time for kids. It's a time for a well-deserved break, but it's also a time for some really meaningful learning to happen. So let's look at some ways we can keep those brain cells working while having fun every step of the way.

Keep on writing!

Journalling can be an amazing way for kids to express themselves and hone their writing skills at the same time. Many of my students have kept personal journals to document their vacation time. Take your kids to the store and let them pick out a cool journal that they will be proud to use – they may or may not want to share its contents!

"Hello Muddah, hello Faddah, here I am...."

On the topic of writing, family members love getting mail from their kids who are away at camp. Hopefully, your children's letters have been a little more positive than our friend from Camp Grenada, but generally, any letter is better than none at all. Make sure you remind your kids how much you enjoy hearing from them. Many parents send their children off to camp with pre-addressed, stamped envelopes, as well as some fun stationary that your kids can pick out or make on the computer. You can even have them address and decorate their own envelopes before leaving.

You can help younger, or more reluctant, writers along by including some "writing prompts" in their stationary: questions like, "Tell us about your counsellors/cabin-mates, favorite activities, best/worst camp food," and so on, might give them the writing nudge they need to get started. Also, remind your kids that they don't have to write an entire letter in one sitting. They might be happier writing a few lines per day, highlighting the day's events.

Children can also break out of the traditional letter-writing mode by sending poems, drawings or comic book-style descriptions of camp happenings. They might also enjoy writing and sending letters to themselves, so when they get home, they can tear open their envelopes and enjoy their own thoughts and reflections from the previous weeks of fun. And don't forget that your kids love getting mail from you!

Read all about it

Summer break can also be a wonderful time to kick back with a good book – in any form. Children's fiction is more diverse and accessible than ever before. Excellent books are available to suit all tastes and levels and you can even find books based on your child's favorite movies and video games. Comic books and graphic novels are also a great way for kids to enjoy, and become better at, reading.

Audio books are another way to keep up the literacy habit. Kid-friendly audio books are available in stores and online, and you can upload them onto your kids' MP3 players. Youngsters can enjoy audio books with or without a hard copy of the book in their hands. The key here is just to allow them to choose their books and to read/listen as a means of encouraging a love of books and kickstarting the imagination.

Don't force your kids to read 30 minutes per day. Making it seem like work will just turn them off reading. Often, when kids are introduced to books that suit their style and level and are allowed to choose their reading material – in whatever form – they begin to see reading as a fun way to pass the time.

No problem too small

"Go to your room and don't come out until you know your times tables!" OK, this method may work from time to time, but you run the risk of not seeing your child until his/her next birthday.

Math concepts can be fun and kid-friendly. There are hundreds of math games available online to suit just about anybody. Just consult your search engine, and you'll easily find math games (many are free) to sharpen your child's number skills.

But let's get away from the computer for a while. Puzzles are also an outstanding way to help kids enjoy math and logic problems.

Sudoku is very popular with people of all ages, and is very effective in giving the logical part of the brain a good workout. The puzzles are portable and all you need is a pencil (and a good eraser).

Going on a road trip this summer? Perfect! Get out the map and work with your kids to plan the route. Get together to figure out the distance in kilometres, and then calculate the travel time and the estimated fuel costs of the trip. (It's probably a good idea to wait until your child leaves the room before you start yelling about gas prices.) Once you embark, you and your kids can sit down at the end of the day to see how close you came with your estimates, and then you can re-evaluate as you go.

Summertime learning can be fun and effective. The most important factors to consider are your child's tastes and learning styles. Build, write, draw, paint and create! There are so many ways to make learning fun and to not make it seem like work. Some of the best learning comes from exploring, and when you give your kids the tools to explore and the freedom to creatively express themselves, their brains will "grow" as fast as their feet.

Adam Gelmon is a teacher at Vancouver Talmud Torah and is currently studying for his master's degree in education. He can be reached at [email protected].

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