Summer is almost here, our education expert has come up with 5 home learning activities for kids. Fun home learning activities to avoid the summer slide.
You don’t have to be a teacher to foster a love of learning at home. Many kids are bogged down with homework and after school activities these days. The last thing they’ll want to do is work assigned by Mom and Dad. There are many creative ways to encourage your child to continue learning after they’ve left the classroom. Below are some ideas to help your child explore, create and discover while spending quality time at home.
HOME LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
1.) Family Book Club
If you want your child to love reading, then you have to be a good role model. One way to encourage fun reading activities for kids, is to start a family book club. Choose a book that appeals to the whole family. Be sure to choose something that every child can read independently or one that you will read aloud. Set up a schedule and assign pages to be read by book club night. Make snacks and discuss your favorite characters, plot twists and surprises. Once you finish the book, celebrate by watching the movie version or creating a picture or dessert that represents the book. Starting a book club teaches kids how to ask and answer questions based on a text, making inferences, and talking about a text.
2.) Plant a Garden
Getting kids involved with nature has so many educational benefits. Start by discussing your plans for a family garden. Allow the kids to measure the space, research what plants would do well with the soil and sunlight available, and go shopping with you. Set up a budget and have the children find ways to get the most for their dollars. Once you are ready, let the kids dig, plant and water. Set up a schedule so they know how often to care for the plants. Weeding and watering regularly help kids feel accountable for the survival of the plant. If some plants die, have the kids come up with possible explanations (too much or too little water, amount of sunlight). Planting a garden teaches kids about the parts of a plant, following steps and using the scientific method.
3.) Start a Cooking Club
Cooking and baking can be a fun family project for the whole family. Start with one meal a week for the kids to plan, shop for and prepare. There are so many kids’ cookbooks available at the library and bookstore to help you find ideas. Remind kids to include all of the important food groups when gathering recipes. After planning your meal, let the kids get to work. Allow them to measure out ingredients, set the timer and set the table. As a family, critique your creation. Rate your meal on a scale of 1-10 and decide if this should be a regular family favorite or not. Cooking is a great learning activity for kids that teaches them units of measure, telling time and estimating.
4.) Lego Night
Just like family game night, set up a family Lego challenge. Divide the family into teams, preferably with one adult or older sibling on each team. Write several challenges on slips of paper and pull one from a hat. For example, “Create the tallest building that can stand on its own”, or “Build the scariest monster”. Next, set the timer and get building! When the projects are done, have one member present the project and allow everyone to vote for their favorites. Legos teach kids how to build structures, spatial awareness and trial and error.
5.) Dinner Time Circle Story
Get everyone together for family dinner and start a circle story. One person begins telling a made up story. The sillier or stranger, the better! After two minutes, the storyteller must stop and the next person picks up telling the story. Each storyteller can add unique details to make it her own. Once the story has gone around the table, the last person must end the story. This game teaches kids story elements like beginning, middle and end, characters, plot, setting and using details.
The most important way to help your child continue learning at home is by spending time with him. Engage in conversations and ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to share what he knows. We hope you enjoy our fun, educational activities for kids!
Are you looking for a few more fun ways to spend time with your kids this summer?
- Kids Nature Hunt: Homemade Name Art Craft
- Help Backyard Birds Make Nests
- Kids Craft: Growing Seeds In A Plastic Bag