The crowd gathered at Sam's was a dead give-away. Parents scoured the curriculum aisle looking for ways to keep the learning going over summer so children their don't fall behind. While the parental concern and support is admirable, parents who assign a slew of worksheets to copy the education children receive through the year not only ignore a huge opportunity for real learning--they may kill their their child's natural tendency to explore and grow.
Schools use worksheets for one reason--they can be graded in a heartbeat. Teachers who have 35 students to attend must have quick feedback that doesn't depend on communicating with each child.
Parents don't need that. Interaction with our children lets us know whether they understand or need a little assist. This means parents can focus on the hands-on activities that lead to real learning. Children remember what they do--especially when it relates to their interests. A better approach than worksheets:
Math--

• Let children choose a project to complete over the summer. Figuring the square footage for their own garden plot or tree house puts learning the math skills into a concrete situation that benefits them. The incentive to get the answer right grows exponentially when it's their creation on the line.
• While you're at it, let them figure the budget for the project. They develop more math skills plus an appreciation of how to make difficult choices to stay within available funds.
• Make trips to the grocery, the pool, or the vacation a time for them to figure the price. Children are for more interested in adding how many snacks they can get for their allotment than working an imaginary story problem.
• Play games. Nearly every board game builds some type of math skill. Kids learn while having fun. They love it even more when parents join the game.

Reading--

• Choose a great book to read aloud as a family. Children of all ages love hearing a story come to life. Following the story as you read builds both a love of reading and listening skills. What parent doesn't need that?
• Hand the map for the vacation trip to your child and have them plot the route. Builds both math and technical reading skills. The same works for the plans for the tree house or the recipe for dinner.
• Set an hour a day as reading time for all ages. Even three-year-olds can look at a picture book during their rest time. This builds the habit of reading into the family culture. It also gives parents a quiet break in the day. Need ideas for books? Consider Honey for a Child's Heart. Gladys Hunt creates age-appropriate lists of the best books available. 

Hands-on--

• If you haven't discovered 4-H--attend your county's local fair and take in the projects. You don't need farm animals to participate. Projects are available in nearly every interest--rockets, photography, cake decorating, gift wrap, genealogy, electricity, bicycle maintenance--you name it. Take your children to see the exhibits and choose their project. You can still stop by the 4-H office to get the manuals and complete a project even this summer. While children won't be part of the fair--working through the projects offers an opportunity to learn a myriad of new skills in your child's area of interest.
• Go to state park, nature center, or library programs. These bring learning to life in a fun way.

When kids engage in activities--they learn. Take the opportunity to turn everyday life into exploration--and your children will go back to school on track and loving learning.

Please join us to encourage each other with your insights, remembering to keep comments uplifting and considerate of all. Click on 'comments' below to discuss this month's topic.