Students (and parents) were forced to be incredibly flexible and adaptable this year. Many schools shifted between remote, hybrid, and in-person instruction. A lot of students spent a great deal of time on Zoom or other virtual conferencing platforms and completing work online. There were many disruptions and uncertainties.
But now that summer is here, it’s time to support kids in resetting and gearing up for next school year.
Take a Break from Screens
Make it a point to spend time each day without technology or screens. Give your child’s eyes a break. Have the whole family devote at least 30 minutes a day to reading, but don’t get too caught up on what they’re reading or what level it is. Let them choose books (or even comics) that they find interesting so they will want to pick them up and keep reading.
Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Go for a hike at a nature preserve or state park. See how many different plants or animals you can find. Look them up in a nature guide for more information. Physical activity is good for their body and mind – especially after spending hours sitting at a desk.
Be Hands-On
Ignite your child’s creativity and encourage them to build and create with their hands. Draw pictures, make models, design new toys or games, or do at-home science experiments. Students spent a lot of time watching videos and doing digital assignments, so let them be hands-on over the summer. Let them be bored and figure out a way to (safely) keep themselves entertained instead of scheduling every minute of the day.
Get Away
Have your kids help you plan a trip, even if it’s just for the day. Let them research places they want to go and things they want to do. You can even sneak in some learning by having them figure out the route to get there or a budget. There are tons of museums and historical sites that can be a lot of fun to explore. A change of scenery and a break from being at home can help them recharge.
Focus on the Positives
This year came with its share of challenges. While some students thrived with remote learning, others struggled. Praise them for being adaptable and doing their best. Talk about things that went really well and obstacles they were able to overcome. Reassure them that the past year will not make or break their future, and they learned more than they realize.
Reinforce Learning
Ask your child how they feel about their classes from the past year. Were there topics they feel they didn’t really understand? Are there areas they wish they did better in? Take a look at their grades as well to see how they performed. Also consider the classes they are signed up for next year and see if there are any they are concerned about.
Consider enrolling them in a summer tutoring program to focus on closing any gaps and boosting their skills. Crafting Scholars offers diagnostic tests in a variety of subjects to assess learning, then builds custom curriculums to target the areas where your child needs the most help. Help them feel more confident and prepared for the upcoming school year. Contact us today to learn more and sign up!