Summer Learning for Your Young Child
Over the last 18 months, there has been much discussion among education and child development experts and in the news regarding children’s learning loss due to the pandemic. Because of COVID’s disruption to everyday life, many children in K-12 grades had to rely on virtual learning for some, if not all, of the school year and then had to forego valuable summer programs that provided additional academic support (and much-needed fun).
Since more than half of Georgia’s child care providers had to close their doors during the early months of the virus, even our youngest children have been affected during this time. In recent weeks, many families have expressed worry that their child may not be ready for Pre-K, kindergarten or first grade since they may have missed out on months of in-person interaction with their teachers, caregivers and peers in their normal child care and learning program.
You may be concerned about your child’s development and school readiness these past 16 months as well. You can read more about Georgia’s approach to school readiness, especially as it relates to Georgia Pre-K, on the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) website. You can also utilize the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS), created by DECAL, to help you understand what your young child should know and skills they should be developing by general ages.
If you are unsure if your child is ready for the next step in their learning journey, share your concerns with your child care provider as well as your pediatrician to gain more perspective on your child’s development and individual needs. In the meantime, we know that children learn best through play and have some ideas on how you can support your child’s learning and growth this summer.
Find Lessons in Nature and Outside
Take a Walk. Afterwards, stretch your imaginations and make up a story with your child about what you saw on your walk.
Play in the Rain. Jump in puddles. Make mud pies.
Look at the Clouds. Then ask your child to recreate what he saw with paper and crayons. 4. Read Books that Inspire nature observations then venture out to see what you can find and talk about nature in your home environment.
Music, Arts, and Crafts Support Math and Literacy and Your Mood
Make and Play More Music. Children love to dance, sing, make up rhymes and turn noise into music. See this NAEYC article on how to connect music and learning at home.
Stock Interesting Materials for Art Projects. Let them use their hands and don’t worry about the mess. Don’t over supervise and praise their efforts not the outcome.
Create a Makerspace. Learn more about what a makerspace is, how to do it, and what you need here.
Find more “Summer Learning and Learning at Home” ideas and resources at Share My Lesson.
