When that final bell rang to kick off the summer holiday - or, in the case of 2020, when kids closed that last remote learning tab on their computer - did it signal the end of learning for the next two months? Worse, will kids spend their summer unlearning what was taught to them throughout the year?
If you're the parent of a teen or tween, those are likely the questions running through your mind. While you agree that your kid deserves a reprieve from the demands of a full-time course schedule, you want them to remain engaged - pursuing interests, sating curiosity, honing new skills and staying excited about academics. You can have it both ways.
Amid the summer fun, encourage your kids to keep learning with these simple tips.
Take Frequent Trips to the Museum
Provided that museums in your area are open this summer, they are spectacular resources for balancing fun and education. A far cry from the stuffy institutions of old, modern museums tend to include plenty of interactive experiences, exciting exhibits and cultural attractions, in addition to their wings of important artifacts.
And, despite their reputation, museums aren't just for history buffs. Yes, any young lover of history will have plenty to learn at the museum, but so will those interested in natural sciences, world cultures and art.
Enrol Them in an Online Course
An easy way to keep kids learning throughout the summer is with an online course. These courses differ from classroom courses in that the learning is self-paced; it won't consume your kid's summer, only supplement and augment it. The end result, however, is the same as a traditional classroom course: provided you enrol in accredited high school courses online at Oeshighschool.com your kid is issued a recognized OSSD course credit.
If your kid is keen to continue their English education this summer, online courses can vault them ahead. If your kid fell behind in their science education this past year, online courses can catch them up.
Give Them a Book Allowance
Setting aside a book fund for your kid is a great way to give them a sense of autonomy in their academic curiosity. Make available a sum of money every month (however much you see fit) to be used expressly for buying books. Not video games, not sneakers - books.
If your teen is anything like most teens, they'll relish the opportunity to shop. And, because they've chosen and paid for the books themselves, they will feel duty bound to read them. Sounds like a deal!
Spark Creativity with a Family Film Festival
If your kid is craving a creative endeavour this summer but can't get to the craft store, suggest making a short film. Any contemporary phone or tablet comes stock with a serviceable camera, and options for free film editing apps abound online.
Encourage them to learn a few filmmaking tricks in the process - the dolly zoom, pan or "over the shoulder shot" (OTS). And encourage them to flex their creative writing skills by writing the script before filming.
