WEYBURN - Another school year is coming to an end, and for many students there will be an opportunity to explore new events and activities, as there are currently no COVID-19 restrictions in place.
The last two years were challenging for many of our children, since many summer programs were either cancelled or had strict restrictions in place. Summer is typically a time when children have the opportunity to have more outside play, to meet new friends and allies, and experience their community.
The important thing about many summer activities is that they continue a vital step in maintaining your student’s education, throughout the summer. In the last two years, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, many families struggled to find ways to defeat a summer brain drain that might occur for their children.
Many of my favourite memories of childhood include attending Youth Leadership summer camps, which provided me with a chance to meet new friends and learn new skills. These camps also taught me a little more independence, since I spent an entire week away from my family,
The advantage of many summer camps is there is flexibility, as some camps can run an entire week, while others only operate for a couple hours every day. These summer programs offer an informal curriculum, keeping young minds learning while they are away from a more formal education setting.
Summer camps push children to test their own limits in a safe environment, allowing them to develop the independence necessary to become successful learners. They have the opportunity to improve their self-confidence, learn about co-operation and teamwork, and take initiative on pursing their interests.
There are other summer activities and programs that families should take the time to check out. There is so much the local library offers, from renting movies on DVDs, audio books, and fun craft programs.
Reading is one of the best brain-building activities that anyone can do to help ensure that their children don’t lose vital academic skills as a result of school closures and the “summer slide.” Research proves reading can reduce summer learning loss, or brain drain, that students experience when they are out of school for an extended period of time, like during the summer, or a pandemic.
There are so many fun reading games and online challenges that are geared towards families. I even encourage picking up your local newspaper, to stay in the news regarding community events and other important issues that might affect your family.
Summer is definitely a time for a little fun, and it remains important to find what interests your family, and make sure that the memories you are building are ones that last a lifetime.
