Summer learning loss is a real thing, and it’s actually a big problem for students returning to classrooms in the fall. Believe it or not, the concept of summer learning loss has been puzzling education researchers for over 100 years – studies on the subject date back as far as 1906!
Learning is a lifelong process. Yes, even during the summer break! Although your child may be free from the constraints of the classroom, a high-speed internet connection from S&T can keep them learning all summer long.
Free At-Home Summer Learning Resources
Free at-home summer learning resources are an excellent substitute for students in the off-season. It helps kids retain their classroom-taught subjects and skills, and aids in brain elasticity. Plus, it’s much more budget-friendly than enrolling kids in summer school.
And these resources don’t have to be just for summer. For all your at-home learning needs, here are a few awesome—and free!—online resources for all subject areas.
NSLA
The Nova Scotia Library Association (NSLA) has compiled an incredible and comprehensive list of remote learning resources, so we would be remiss not to recommend their page. Fortunately, you can access the online tools even if you don’t live in Canada. The NSLA’s resources cover a wide variety of subjects, from literacy to arts to STEM, and are available for kids of all ages. There are simply too many resources to list here, so we’ll let you take a look for yourself!
Read Think Write
https://www.readwritethink.org/Read Think Write’s Summer Trading Cards activity is a nifty tool for engaging kids with the written word. Even if your child loves to read, this educational game will help them digest and analyze the text more thoroughly while exploring their own creativity and imagination. What’s great about this is that kids also have full license to get crafty and artistic with the cards and learn more about the world around them. Theoretically, this could work for kids of all ages but probably best-received by younger kids.
Newsela
There are plenty of magazines for kids—think Chickadee/Chirp/OWL—and informational websites like National Geographic Kids targeted to the younger demographic. But what about news sites? Finding child-friendly news outlets can be tricky because, well, so much of what goes on in our world isn’t child-friendly. That’s why Newsela is such an excellent tool. You join as a student, teacher, or parent, and the app lets you filter real-world news results based on age and grade. Your children can explore the news safely and satisfy their curiosity.
Other Ideas
Summer learning doesn’t always happen in front of a book or a computer. Depending on your child’s interests and capabilities, why not try different outdoor activities to promote learning?
- Gardening is a good way to teach kids about biology, horticulture, and food. Plus, it’s a great exercise in patience and caregiving.
- Geocaching is a fun treasure hunt game that involves physical activity, problem-solving, and coordinate mapping.
- Or check out some of these NatureBridge activities for more outdoor learning ideas.
Are you feeling excited about learning this summer? Us too! But to take advantage of all these amazing resources, you’ll need a reliable, powerful high-speed internet connection from S&T.
