Out-of-School Learning

Times when your child is out of school, like weekends, holiday breaks, and summer vacations, don’t need to be times spent away from learning. Keeping your kids reading and learning outside of school is a critical factor in determining their success as students as well as their lifelong commitment to learning. By making out-of-school learning intentional, you can be sure that your child will be well-prepared to succeed in school.

Everyday Tips for Parents

• Learning by Doing: Concentrate on experiential learning (learning by doing). Most kids enjoy experiential learning, and sometimes don’t even realize that they’re learning. Take kids to the zoo, to a hands-on museum, or on a walk in a nature preserve—engage them in activities that stimulate their thinking and imagination.
• Do: Make sure that your kids read throughout the summer—make regular trips to the library, establish family “reading times,” or start a summer reading competition to make sure that everyone in your family reads regularly.
• Encourage Work Experience: Older teens can find internships or apprenticeships that allow them to gain hands-on experience with the things they’re interested in. Help them get involved in auto mechanics, videography, coaching a soccer team, or anything else that they like to do.
• Use Community Resources: Sign up for a family activity through your local recreation or community education department. Many of these organizations offer free programming or special events that provide many opportunities for out-of-school learning.
• Explore Recreational Options: Many kids enjoy going to a day- or week-long camp in the summer. Whether your child is interested in sports, art, science, or outdoor activities, camps provide a unique structure for out-of-school learning. Scholarships are sometimes available for families that need help covering the cost.

• Explore Your Local Library! Ask local libraries about story times for younger children. Libraries will often have local authors come and read kids’ books aloud, and this is a great opportunity to get kids interested and engaged in reading. If your local libraries don’t have programs like this, talk to a librarian about starting one to help all kids read more.

It’s easy to start thinking that summer vacation and other breaks from school are also breaks from learning—especially if your kids think that way. But in order for kids to be successful students, they need to be learning constantly, including at times when they’re not at school. And while it may seem like a monumental task, it’s actually quite easy to make sure that your kids are having educational experiences throughout the year—all it takes is some practice and a little creativity.

http://www.parentfurther.com/parenting/school-success/out-of-school-learning