Summer Learning Fun: The Great Outdoors

Last weekend, I enjoyed some time with my family at the park, launching model rockets, watching my father-in-law fly his remote-control airplanes, and enjoying the sunshine. It was a good reminder of how great it can be to just get out of the house.




It can be tempting when summer starts to hit it's peak, and the weather gets hotter to want to stay in the house where the air is cool, and the entertainment comes easily from the TV or video and computer games. But this is another plug to leave the world of technology behind for awhile and enjoy the great outdoors! There is so much learning and fun to be had when kids can be active outside of the house.

Playing outside can be as simple as just that. Kids are great at creating their own meaningful play experiences. Especially in the summer, it can be as simple as adding a little water to the mix. Besides just being really fun, water play is great for sensory and scientific exploration.You can do it with sprinklers, a hose, or the swimming pool, but creating a water table is a fun, simple idea that can promote learning experiences as well.

You could get more creative if you wanted, but why not just keep it simple. All you'll need is a large plastic storage container (like the kind you would use for under the bed storage). You could set it on a low table, or  even just on the ground. Then all you need to do is fill it with water. Easy! Kids can use sticks, rocks, toys, cups, sponges, etc. to investigate and play.

The bin could also be used for other kinds of sensory play with sand, dirt, rocks, beans, rice...really anything you're willing to try. Using it outside will also keep the mess a little more manageable. :)

There are so many other great things you can do outside, or even just out of your house. Getting out of the house gives kids experiences that help build their vocabulary and knowledge about the world. It's absolutely worth the time and effort.

A few more ideas for getting out of the house in Utah...

1. Go on a mountain drive, then get out of the car and explore!
2. Different parks around the valley have some fun features, like the trail behind Granite Park in Sandy or the water streams that kids can play in at Liberty Park.
3. Go on a walk around the neighborhood and talk about what makes up a community.
4. Visit the library and pay attention to classes or groups offered that would interest your child.
5. Tour a candy factory like Taffy Town in downtown Salt Lake. (Often these kinds of tours are free!)
6. Have a picnic at the park.
7. Do an outdoor art project, such as drawing something outside using a clipboard or using outdoor materials to create a nature collage.
8. Go on a bug hunt...draw or take pictures of the bugs you find. Unless you are braver than I am, and willing to touch them. :)
9. Encourage dramatic play- go on imaginary adventures in your backyard.
10. Play active games using balls, hula hoops, or frisbees. Make up silly games or races.
11. Draw and practice writing using sidewalk chalk.

I'm all about activities that are easy, cheap or free. But you could also visit the zoo, aviary, aquarium or museums, if you've got some cash to spare.

Summer Learning Fun: Board Games

Do you remember the time when the word "games" was not associated with the computer, TV, phone, or any other hand-held device? Whatever happened to sitting down and playing games with each other? In this age of technology, it almost seems like board games and card games are becoming a bit "old fashioned." In my opinion, there's something refreshing about good, old-fashioned board and card games. Here's some reasons why:

1. They provide a great opportunity for social interaction (as compared to interacting with a screen)
2. They require processing skills that are more concrete and realistic than watching flat images on a screen
3. They can support a wide variety of skills: fine motor, math, logical thinking, literacy, language, etc.

Before I tell you about some fun games, I want to share some tips on playing games with young children that I've learned from my experiences. I also found some great information in this book called Playful Learning and Teaching by Judith E. Kieff and Renee M. Casbergue.

In general, it is good to let children experiment with the rules in games. It is very normal for young children to change rules as they play a game. It does not mean they are cheating! They do that because they are in the process of understanding rules and how they work. As children get older, they will become more able to play games with pre-existing and complex rules.

*Pre-school aged children have difficulty playing games with clearly defined rules. Games involving music and movement are often best, as they can help kids to learn simple boundaries. You can still play board-type games with them, just be flexible with the rules and allow them to create their own.

*5 & 6 year old children are developing their sense of rules in games. This can lead children to get frustrated when others don't follow the rules (especially the ones they have created), and can become very rigid in following the rules as they play. As conflicts arise during this age group, you can support their development through showing flexibility with rules.

*7 & 8 year old children start to gain a more concrete understanding of the meaning of rules. For this reason, board games are usually more meaningful at this age, and they are able to play them with each other without as much conflict over the rules.

Alright. Now for the fun stuff! Here are some of my game recommendations that might inspire you to put away the Wii or I-Phone. :)

Max the Cat is a cooperative game, where players work together and there is not a specific winner. A great tool for developing social skills.

There are different versions of the game Zingo that can support literacy and math skills, in a Bingo-like way.

The game of Sorry is an old favorite in my family. While the concept is simple, it can be a great game for developing strategic thinking skills.

This Dr. Seuss I Can Do That game is a fun hands-on, movement game, that can also bring some laughs.

And finally, a few fun card games: Rat-a-Tat Cat, Hisss, and Slamwich.

There are so many great games out there! Old favorites like Boggle Jr., Monopoly Jr., Checkers, Chess, Connect Four, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, etc. can also be great for supporting learning and development- besides just providing some good, old fashioned fun.

Summer Learning Fun: A Hunting We Will Go

There's something so excited about looking for something, and then finding it. Harnessing that kind of excitement for making learning discoveries can create engaging and meaningful learning activities. One easy way to do that is with a scavenger hunt. Unlike a treasure hunt (which can also be fun and educational), a scavenger hunt doesn't necessarily require prior preparation (such as writing clues and hiding them)

 The beauty of this kind of activity is that it really can be designed to fit your individual needs, and opens up the opportunity for creativity. It can take place essentially anywhere, and be adapted to fit different subject areas and ages. Here are just a few ideas to get you started and thinking about your own scavenger hunts.

#1. Decide on a place to look. 

Places could be as simple as in your house, backyard or neighborhood or as far as the grocery store, the library, the park or just the things you see as you are driving in your car. 

#2. You need something to look for! This is where you can tie in subjects like literacy, math, and science. I'll list some general hunts below, but don't be afraid to get creative!  

#3. The materials you use and the approach you'd like to take is up to you!

You could---

---work together to make a list of things you want to find (depending on the age, you could use words or pictures- but you don't even need a list. Sometimes it's fun just to see what you find within a certain category)

---use a digital camera to take pictures of the items you find

---use paper and art materials to draw what you find

---just use your eyes to find stuff and talk about what you find

---if you choose to take pictures or draw pictures, you could make a book out of those pictures!

Alphabet Hunt

*Search for letters, words, or items that begin with certain letters

*Recording what they find is a great way for them to practice their writing skills!

Number Hunt

*Search for numbers, or certain numbers of items

*Counting out and drawing items can help build number sense 

Shape Hunt

*Look for shapes in everyday objects

*This can be really fun with buildings!

*Take pictures or draw the shapes

Five Senses Hunt

*Track and record ways you use your five senses

Let the kids be involved with thinking of things to hunt for as well. I think the key to making this a successful and fun learning activity is to be interactive during the process, but give the kids some room to make their own discoveries. 

Happy Hunting!

Summer Learning Fun: Read!

In my opinion, one of the easiest and most beneficial things that you can do always, but especially in the summer,  is just simply to read! Whether your child is a toddler or capable of reading on their own, reading can and should be a daily activity. I think literacy skills affect all other areas of learning, so why not make reading a priority?

The simple act of reading can help support literacy development. But here are some very general tips and guidelines for some simple things you can do along side reading.

For pre-readers (usually ages 0-4):
*Talk about the pictures and the story. Don't be afraid to ask them questions and let them talk as well.
*Point out words and letters, and emphasize different aspects of print such as looking at the cover, starting at the beginning and turning pages, tracking the words from left to right, etc.
*As often as possible, link words to their pictures to help build vocabulary knowledge.
*Try to find books that engage their interest and can build upon their current knowledge and life experiences.
*As children move from infancy to the preschool years, encourage them to "read" the books to you, by telling their own story using the pictures.

For early readers (Kindergarteners & First Graders):
Read out loud to them
*This is a great time to model how to read and practice the strategies they have learned. For example, you can pretend to get stuck on a word, and let them help you figure it out using those strategies.
*You can select books that they can comprehend and enjoy, but are above their own reading level.
*Build their comprehension skills by talking with them before, during, and after you read the story.
*Discuss elements of the story such as plot, characters, and setting by asking questions and having them make predictions about what will happen.
*Emphasize new vocabulary words or concepts.
Have them read out loud to you:
*Try to find books that are on their reading level. (A good rule of thumb to follow is that if they turn to a random page and get stuck on five or more words, it is probably too hard.) You might ask for suggestions from their current teacher or a librarian about books or readers that would be appropriate for their level.
*Encourage them to read as much as they can without your help, but not to the point where they get frustrated. Helping them to use strategies when they get stuck on a word is usually better than just telling them what the word is.
*As they progress, let them try reading silently to themselves as well as out loud. Just make sure to still talk with them about what they read to encourage good comprehension.

For developing readers (Second & Third Graders) Generally the same principles as before, just at a higher level.
Read out loud to them
*Model fluent and expressive reading, and build comprehension skills using the same ideas listed above.
*This can be a fun age to select chapter books or series that are engaging, but may be a bit too hard for them to read on their own.

Have them read independently
*Both through reading out loud and silently on their own
*It is still appropriate to give guidance and help with reading strategies where needed, but encourage their independence as much as possible.
*It is always a good idea to talk with them about what they are reading. Encourage them to summarize events of the story, to describe the setting and characters in greater detail, and to think critically about the plot and the writing style.

Don't be afraid to use a wide variety of books: picture books, poetry books, informational (non-fiction) books, chapter books, etc. It's also great to let them re-read books if they really like them. Re-reading can be beneficial for improving fluency skills.

Well, these are just a few things that you can do during reading time. So whether it's 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or hours on end---take the time. It will definitely be time well spent. I will surely be posting much more about other ways to promote literacy, as well as some fun ideas for enriching reading experiences. If you haven't noticed already, I'm a huge advocate for facilitating literacy skills. That is because literacy is linked to success not only in school, but in life!

And I'm not the only one...Check out this article from KSL's Book Matters Column  and UEN's Summer Reading Site for some more tips on how to promote reading this summer.

Introducing... Summer Learning Fun!

Memorial Day has come and gone, which means summer is just around the corner!

A common concern for both teachers and parents is how to keep kids active in learning during the summer, so that they don't lose the progress they made during the school year, or so they can be better prepared for school in the fall.

Now, when I say learning, I don't mean workbooks and drill sheets. Summer is a great time to promote active, hands-on learning experiences! Sounds messy and time-consuming, right? Well, it doesn't have to be. (Of course, what's life without a little mess?) There are ways to turn your everyday summer activities into great learning experiences- the kind of experiences that will be much more meaningful and beneficial to kids than making them sit down and do a worksheet every once in awhile.

This series of blog posts will be dedicated to sharing ideas and resources for promoting fun and engaging learning experiences with kids during the summer. (The community resources I share will be those found in Utah, since that is where I'm currently living.) Topics will include literacy, math, science, social studies, physical fitness, and more! Ideas will also be geared towards different ages in the early childhood years.

I'd love to hear about your summer learning ideas as well, so leave a comment or message me if you'd like to share your ideas or resources on this blog. (saracarruth@gmail.com)

Watch for at least one Summer Learning Fun post every week, and let the learning fun begin!