18 Jun How to Overcome Summer Slide
“Summer Slide” might sound fun if you don’t know what it means, but caregivers and educators are becoming more aware of the loss of skills that students experience over summer break. According to the National Summer Learning Association, most students lose two months of math skills, and low-income children can lose two to three months of reading skills each summer. The statistics are scary, but there are some easy ways to keep your child’s skills sharp. Listed below are a few library resources that can help!
Summer Reading Club
Reading every day is the best way to keep your child’s skills strong. The PGTPL Summer Reading Club rewards the time spent reading with a sense of accomplishment and cool prizes. Allow kids to choose materials that interest them; all reading counts, even magazines, eBooks, and audiobooks! It’s also important for kids to see adults modelling reading habits, so sign up for our adult Summer Reading Club, too.
STEM Kits
Don’t forget about science and math skills over the summer! The library’s STEM Kits are a great way for kids to explore some hands-on science, technology, and engineering activities, such as writing simple code, creating a unique marble maze, or using a microscope. You can find a complete listing of the STEM Kits on the website, or stop by the library to ask a staff member.
Museum Passes
For a fun and educational family activity, consider checking out one of the library’s museum passes. PGTPL circulates passes for the Indiana State Museum, Eiteljorg Museum, and Indiana Historical Society for free! These passes are always popular, so it’s a good idea to put them on hold in advance. Visiting a museum is a great opportunity to work on observational skills and learn in an interactive way.
Scholastic Teachables
Sometimes trying to come up with activities for kids can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Scholastic Teachables has an abundance of worksheets, crafts, and other projects that can be printed and completed. You can select by grade level, theme, or just search for your child’s latest interest. This is a great resource for busy parents! Access Scholastic Teachables here. You will need your library card number to access Scholastic Teachables from home.
While “Summer Slide” can be scary, the ways to counter it don’t have to be. Reading every day and having access to books are the most important things you can do to make sure your child is ready for school next year. PGTPL has even more amazing resources available, so stop by the Children’s Desk and ask how we can make your summer a little easier!
