Kumon, the No. 1 education franchise in North America, urges parents to keep their children’s brains busy over the summer to prevent students from losing ground academically.
“We understand that students need a vacation – we all do,” said Lisa Kaul, spokeswoman at Kumon North America. “But we encourage parents to make this summer an active vacation, so that their brains can get some rest but stay engaged.”
Studies show that the average student loses up to two months’ worth of math and reading skills over the summer.
Maintaining a consistent learning routine over school breaks make it easier for students to pick up where they left off in the fall. Otherwise, teachers must spend time helping students relearn what they did the prior school year instead of focusing on learning new skills.
Kumon suggests the following fun and educational activities to keep students thinking over the summer:
- Explore the library. Visit your local library and let children choose books on topics that pique their interest. Encourage them to dedicate at least 30 minutes each day to reading. Regular reading enhances vocabulary and comprehension skills. Discover a wealth of reading options with Kumon’s newly revamped Recommended Reading List, which offers a diverse selection of genres and styles to help students discover books they will love.
- Make a game night move. Family game nights teach children more than the thrill of competition. Younger kids might enjoy Go Fish, which uses numbers and beefs up memorization skills, while older students can practice spelling and learn new words with Scrabble. Monopoly is a fun way to learn about money.
- Whip up some fractions. The slower pace of summer days provides the perfect opportunity to invite kids into the kitchen to help you make dinner or a special dessert. Cooking is a great way to practice following directions and learn about fractions.
- Plan a field trip. Visit the zoo or aquarium and let kids lead you on a tour of their favorite exhibit, reading aloud panels about the habitat and animals.And since every summer has at least an occasional rainy day, put together a scavenger hunt for your local museum. Whether kids are searching for artworks or artifacts, or just things that start with the letter B, they will enjoy looking at every corner of the building.
- Stay sharp on the go. Keep math and reading skills sharp even while traveling or during busy summer days with Kumon Connect, a new digital worksheet platform. Accessible anytime, anywhere, Kumon Connect provides daily practice to combat the summer slide, ensuring students stay ahead.
About Kumon
Kumon is an after-school math and reading enrichment program that unlocks the potential of children, so they can achieve more on their own. As a comprehensive program, Kumon serves children in preschool through high school. The learning method uses an individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration and develop better study skills.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
