June 15, 2014

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
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41 comments:

  1. Ontario. Yes it's very important which is why we still read every night

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  2. I am in Ontario and I agree 100% that it is important not to let kids slide during the summer, reading is very important and should be a part of everyday! (Judy Cowan) (follow on Instagram as poodlemom123)

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  3. I am in Ontario and yes, it is important to keep them learning in the summer! I send them to camps where there is an academic component in the summer to help them out!

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  4. I'm in Calgary, and yes I think it is important. Have a couple months off can be a long time, and some information that was learned can totally be lost. Its good to promote an active mind :)

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  5. Newfoundland and I think it is very important.

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  6. Newfoundland and I think it is very important.

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  7. I live in Kitchener On and this would be a great tool as my son goes into jk this year!

    Lori R Jackson

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  8. I live in Ontario. I believe kids could use a break but fun ways of learning are awesome, especially books.

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  9. I am in ON, kids need to continue learning may be different subjects and more outside.

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  10. I'm in BC and I believe that its imperative for kids to keep learning during the summer!

    RAFFLECOPTER NAME is Anne Taylor

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  11. I am in Sask. and I agree 100% that we need to read to our kids all year long.

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  12. I live in BC and I think it's important for kids to still learn during the summer, but in a fun way!

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  13. I live in Saskatchewan and I think that reading is very important all year round.

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  14. I live in Alberta. I think kids should continue to learn through the summer as well.

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  15. I live in ON, I think it's very important that kids continue to learn year round

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  16. I live in ON, I think it's very important that kids continue to learn year round

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  17. BC and summer is a perfect opportunity to take learning out of the classroom. Hiking, travelling and night time stories are all ways of 'learning' without being at school

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  18. I live in NB. I definitely think it is important for kids to be learning year-round.

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  19. I live in Ontario. Yes I think children should continue to learn everyday! That doesnt mean workbooks and turoring schools are necessary, but to make everyday experiences rich and to keep reading!!

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  20. I live in NW Ontario. Absolutely! I think kids should do something in the summer, like reading.

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  21. i am from B.C, YES, I think it is very important that children should keep on learning everyday

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  22. i am from B.C, YES, I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT CHILDREN SHOULD KEEP ON LEARNING EVERYDAY

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  23. I am from Ontario and I do think it is important for my kids to keep reading during the summer but I am lucky as they love to read.

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  24. BC and learning everyday is very important.
    Jan

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  25. I live in Nova Scotia. I think it is very important that children still learn and read through out the summer.

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  26. I live in Nova Scotia. I think it is very important for children to read and learn during the summer months.

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  27. Ontario. I've already told my kids we will be doing some extra work this summer to get ahead!

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  28. in this family we read and learn all year long, a learning activity could include looking at the stars

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  29. i live in Toronto and we try very hard to keep a routine in the summer. We read together and do activities and also try to make things about learning with fun. :)

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  30. I live in Toronto, ON and I do think it is important, so I make sure my kids get to experience summer camps that are fun but also educational.

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  31. From British Columbia & yes - it's a good thing for kids to stay up on their reading (and say ... math) over the summer months given the long stretch before the fall school year. Thanks.

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  32. i'm in Ontario and yes i think kids should keep learning through the summer my kids read through the summer especially at night before they go to bed they are creative during the day and still have fun kids still should learn 110% during the summer in different ways and still have fun!

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  33. I live in ON. I absolutely think it is important to ensure that children continue to have educational experiences in the summer months.

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  34. I live in Nova Scotia. I do believe that we must spend time with our kids reading over the summer months. I also think that teaching them little things about nature is also a great learning tool. Audrey Skinner

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  35. I live in Ontario. I think it's important to keep education during the summer but it can be fun earning -- lots of books, outings and trying new things.

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  36. We live in ontario. Its important to keep learning over the summer holidays

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  37. I live in Ontario, I'm grateful for the internet to help keep her mind sharp all summer long. I think it's very important.

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  38. I live in Ontario and definitely agree with keeping my girls reading/math skills up during the summer! I'm actually trying to source guided reading books in both English & French for summer practise.

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  39. I'm in BC. I always put my daughter in a french immersion summer camp for a few weeks and I let her pick out some new summer books to keep her reading.

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  40. I live in Brampton, ON. I think it's extremely important to continue learning throughout the summer just to keep abreast of education in general.

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  41. I just received the books. I'm truly grateful and thank you so much from my heart!!! We read one book already with my daughter and we love it! Thank you!!!!

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Thank you for commenting :)