Source : Ann Dolin , readingrockets.org
The summer is a
time to unwind and relax for parents and kids alike, but learning
should not come to a halt. By focusing on your child's interests,
involving the family, and setting goals, you can motivate even the most
reluctant learners
If you're like most parents at this time
of year, you're relishing the days of summer. No more homework
struggles, standardized tests, or jam-packed afternoons of carting your
children to and from extracurricular activities. The summer is a time to
unwind and relax for parents and kids alike, but learning should not
come to a halt. According to the foundation Reading is Fundamental,
children who do not read over the summer experience a loss of reading
fluency and comprehension skills. Students who engage in summertime
reading actually gain skills. Research also shows that students who have
not engaged in summer learning score lower on standardized tests at the
end of summer break than they do on the exact same test at the end of
the previous school year. In math, students lose approximately 2.6 years
of grade level equivalency over the summer if they are not stimulated.
Sally Shaywitz, author of Overcoming Dyslexia, reports that
children who score in the top 10th percentile on standardized tests read
more than 20 minutes per day after school. Over a school year, that
translates to 1.8 million words read! Students who read only five
minutes for pleasure score near the 50th percentile. Sadly, students who
read a minute or less on a daily basis after school hours read a mere
8,000 words per year and score in the lowest 10 percent. It is easy to
understand why engaging in some type of instruction, whether it be
structured or unstructured, is an integral part of continued academic
growth. Parents can play an important role in encouraging learning
throughout the summer months even if their child is a reluctant learner.
