Love Learning Through Your Nevada Summer Vacation

Endless Summer

We were sitting around a circle, last day of school still ringing in our ears and summer seeming endless. We started talking about a calendar item in August for our summer club and someone had the nerve to ask when school started again, from the group a junior going on senior remarked, "Never." We all laughed, and sympathized, but despite our best efforts that day will come. So how do we make the most out of this summer?

Beware of Summer Slide

Summer slide also known as brain burn and several other clever names is the phenomenon of the knowledge leak that happens over summer vacation. You know how it is when you are actively learning you can feel the skills growing, when not you find those skills slip. Teachers in Nevada have noted that our kids return to school with less knowledge than they left the school year before. We may have it worse in the western desert we might have it worse because it is hot and we are tempted to hide and veg on YouTube. So here are a few tips you can put into practice with your kids to help them from being victims of that summer slide.

Make a Plan to Learn

This goes against my grain—maybe because, like our soon-to-be senior, I’m happy to say goodbye to the season of learning and hoping the time won't return. Plan or not, the days will pass—and those who fail to plan, sadly, plan to fail. I know it is an old adage, but it is still true.

Read More: Beware of This Summer Pest

Get Curious

Sadly, our culture is one of those that have painted school as a pain, let this be a season to just get curious about things around you. Ask yourself and them what they want to learn about. You will find it surprising how much you are craving to learn something. I have heard people decide to learn to play an instrument or a language (maybe to prepare for a semi exotic vacation?). Studies show that learning anything will help improve brain growth even through the summer.

Keep you Plan Posiitive

There is a danger as you approach learning through summer to become the new principle or mean teacher to your kids and even to yourself. Don't let negativity chase away the joy of learning, either by telling yourself you can't do it or by nagging each other to stick to your plan.

So, pull out the fun gel pens, get brainstorming and let's get this summer learning rolling.

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