5 Ways to Continue Your Children's Education This Summer

Let's face it: your kids probably haven't had the educational experiences you hoped they would this year. Instead of lamenting time lost, take charge of their learning and keep it going throughout the summer. By carrying learning throughout the summer, your kids will be better prepared to return to school in the fall on schedule and eager to learn.

1. Encourage Experiential Learning

Not all learning is dry. Bypass rote memorization and encourage experiences instead. Kids are naturally curious and want to explore their surroundings. It is up to you to capitalize on that desire. STEAM subjects really lend themselves to this technique well, and mastering them will set your kids up for success in the future. Consider adding some of these great ways to get kids (and adults, too) more active and curious about their world into your summer schedule.

• Let them explore their surroundings through unstructured play.
• Take an educational hike or walk in the park.
• Use scavenger hunts to encourage investigative skills.
• Volunteer to help out in an area of interest (e.g. an animal shelter, soup kitchen, mowing a neighbor's yard).
• Set up an arts and crafts station for hands-on fun and learning.

2. Make Learning Fun

Learning through play is instinctive to children. It is how they pick up a lot of the most basic social skills needed to function within society. You learn cooperation, sportsmanship, and sharing through play. Kids who tend toward leadership can hone their skills no matter how young or old they are. It isn't just social skills that come from play, however.

Plenty of games develop cognitive skills. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku are excellent examples. Trivia and worked games are a couple of other options that let you have fun and learn at the same time. You and your kids will be practicing critical thinking, pattern recognition and other important skills. It can also be a good way to learn new information. If you encounter questions that leave everyone stumped, spend a few minutes to research the answer.

If summer camp is in your budget, consider enrolling your kids. They can hone social skills and learn a whole new set of other practical ones, too. Some camps cater to special interests and hobbies or athletics. If your child has a specific passion, look into options that let her explore those.

3. Set a Good Example

When you enjoy learning new things, you set a good example for your children. Let them see you learning and exploring things throughout each day. Take a class about something you have always wanted to explore deeper. You can enroll in a MOOC to dive deep for free from the comfort of your own home. Read books, play word games and engage with your hobbies on a regular basis. No matter what they say, your kids are watching you closely for cues to how they should behave.

4. Pick Up a Book

The value of a good book cannot be overstated. It encourages reading and helps learners develop comprehension skills, sure. The value doesn't stop there, though. You can travel anywhere in the world (and beyond) by opening the cover of a new book. You can learn about a subject that interests you, or find new interests to pursue.

You can find books about pretty much any subject, especially at online retailers. Second hand and thrift stores often have an abundance of books at affordable prices. Encourage reading and avoid the cost of buying a ton of new books by taking regular trips to the public library.

5. Target Specific Skills

If you know your child is struggling in a specific area, the summer is an excellent time to work on that subject. Remember that keeping it fun will make whatever activities you choose more productive. Consider letting them lead the conversation on how to best approach the issue. It could be as simple as they didn't understand how a concept was taught by an instructor or they need to learn it from a different perspective.

Summer is viewed as a time of relaxation and freedom. It can also be a great time to continue learning. By continuing their education, your kids will be prepared to return to school without falling behind.