6 Summer Activities to Boost Academic Skills
School is out for summer, and while students may be happy to have a break from class, they still need constructive ways to occupy their time. That doesn’t mean you have to schedule every minute of the day, but too much unstructured time can lead to boredom and trouble. Consider incorporating some of these activities into your child’s routine to keep their mind sharp and continue their learning.
1. Volunteering
Encourage your child to explore different volunteer opportunities within the community. This will give them a chance to give back and help others while also practicing essential skills. They can work on math skills, organization, time management, problem solving, communication, and much more. This could be done through sorting donations, putting together mailings, helping at different programs, and the like. Your child can put their skills to use in a variety of ways and may not even realize they’re learning.
2. Babysitting
Whether they are watching a sibling or a child in the neighborhood, babysitting can be a wonderful learning experience. It requires a lot of critical thinking and problem solving. They have to follow a schedule and manage their time. Chances are, they’ll be reading books, playing games, and making crafts with the kids which benefits them as well! Plus, kids ask lots of questions, so it will give your teen a chance to practice explaining things in a way that makes sense.
3. Summer Camp
Camp experiences are plentiful over the summer. Some are just a few days, while others are a few weeks. Your child may choose to go to a sleepaway camp or day camp where they will participate in a wide range of activities and experiences that are both fun and educational. Perhaps science camp, coding camp, art camp, or cooking camp are more their speed. You can find programs geared toward a multitude of different interests and ability levels. You never know, they may discover a new hobby or potential career!
4. Start a Business
Creating their own summer business can be a valuable learning experience. Consider options like lawn mowing, yard work, dog walking, pet sitting, washing cars, running a lemonade stand, or selling baked goods or crafts they have made. They have to coordinate their schedule, set prices and manage money, work with clients, maintain their equipment/supplies, and promote their goods or services.
5. Take a Class
High schoolers may be able to get ahead by taking a college class over the summer or even a community course for fun. It exposes them to higher education, challenges their thinking, and introduces new skills. In addition, it keeps them in a learning mindset and routine to make the transition back to school a little easier in the fall.
6. Tutoring
Students can choose one or two areas they want to improve on and participate in tutoring throughout the summer. Perhaps they want to prepare for the SAT or ACT exam, polish up their study skills, reinforce learning in a specific subject, or work on strategies to reduce test anxiety. Since they are not sitting in class all day every day, it can be more enjoyable and productive to help them prepare for the upcoming school year and higher-level courses.
Crafting Scholars develops customized learning plans for each student tailored to their unique needs and goals. Take steps to make this summer fun and productive by working with our learning specialists. Explore our wide variety of programs by contacting Crafting Scholars today!
