3 Ways to Help Kids Beat Summer Brain Drain while Running Errands Together

Now that summer is here, kids and teachers alike are enjoying some well-deserved time away from the classroom, and the last thing either group wants to think about right now is going back to school. Thankfully, they don’t have to – yet. But come September, teachers face the challenge of getting kids back into “school-mode,” a process that can take several weeks at the beginning of each school year.

 

The reason? Some call it summer brain drain, while others call it like it is: a loss of learning. After spending 10 months filling their developing minds with new information, young children tend to associate the summer months with fun and play, often averse to doing anything that resembles a learning activity. But no matter where or how your kids are spending their summer, it’s always possible (and surprisingly easy) to keep their skills sharp and prevent that summer brain drain with activities so fun, your kids won’t even realize that they’re learning.

 

But why not kill two birds with one stone? Between trips to the park, play dates and other child-centric activities that fill our days, we end up squeezing in time to run our everyday errands which, let’s be honest, would probably take half the time to do without the kids in tow. But with a little reframing, it’s easy to see how these daily errands are great learning opportunities for kids. 

 

Here are three ideas to get you started:

 

At the Doctor’s Office…

 

Pediatricians usually fill their waiting rooms with toys, games, books, and other items for kids of all ages. Have your child pick out a book, make sure that it’s age-appropriate, and take turns reading the story together as you wait for your child to be seen by the doctor. If the book selection is sub-par, another way to practice reading with your child is to choose a magazine and have your child make the sounds of various letters as you point them out.

 

At the Supermarket…

 

Use coupons to sharpen basic math skills. If you have a coupon to save one dollar on a box of cereal, for example, say something like, “This box of cereal costs three dollars, and this coupon means we can subtract one of those dollars. How much is three minus one?” Depending on your child’s age and/or skill level, you can use coupons to sharpen other basic math skills like multiplication, fractions, and percentages. A teaching tool that saves both your money and your child’s math grades – what could be better?

 

In the Car…

 

Car time in between errands tends to consist of several quick trips, so a great use of this time is to practice one skill, like colors recognition, using a different method for each trip. For example, before you leave the house, ask your child to pick a color, and whichever color he or she picks will be the Car Game Color. If the color is blue, have your child be on the lookout for blue cars during your first car trip, blue signs during your second, people wearing blue clothing during your third, and so on. Before you know it, you blue through your errands and you’re done for the day!

 

 

So remember…

With a little creativity and resourcefulness, parents can turn almost any basic errand into a teachable moment for kids. And what better time than summer to make the world a fun and exciting classroom in itself? Keeping your child’s skills sharp during the summer months is something you can work into your normal daily activities – and it’s the best way to beat that summer brain drain.

 

 

How do you help your child(ren) beat summer brain drain?

Advertisement