Editor’s Note: With preschoolers especially in mind, but really any child who is home over the summer, we asked the pros at Kumon to discuss the benefits of including an enrichment class in your child’s mix of summer activities. The following list was put together by Sean Lyon, a Center Director and veteran Kumon instructor.
For months, your kids have been waiting for the moment when the final bell rings and they’re able to enjoy the freedom of summer.
For parents, it’s a different story. Summer vacation can mean a scramble to put together a schedule of activities, day camps, and more. If you’re currently in the process of structuring your child’s summer, one of the most important things you can do is enroll them in a learning program.
The mind, like a muscle, needs exercise. While summer might be their favorite time of the year, it is also a time when your kids can easily forget the skills they learned over the school year. To make sure they maintain and advance those skills, here are five reasons it’s important to make sure your child keeps learning through the summer.
1. Give your child an early start
It’s hard to overstate the importance of early childhood education. Enrolling your child (3 and up) in an age-appropriate enrichment program is a great way to develop the math and reading and other skills that lead to a lifelong love of learning.
2. Provide your child an academic advantage
With schools becoming increasingly competitive, students of all ages need all the advantages they can get. Supplemental education programs offer children an opportunity to get ahead and enjoy learning. The earlier they get started, the better.
3. Avoid summer setback
Time and time again, research has confirmed what is known as “summer slide.” Most children lose about two months of mathematical computation skills over the summer. Small daily learning exercises can prevent this slide and help advance your child’s skills.
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4. Help them develop foundational skills
For students who have struggled with subjects during the school year, enrolling in a learning program during the summer can be a huge benefit because there are less distractions from other courses and extra-curricular activities. Sometimes a different instructional method is needed for the material to stick.
5. There’s less pressure
It’s often the case that students struggle to cope with the pressure of grades and permanent records. This can prevent them from reaching their full potential. Learning programs like Kumon do away with these stressors, allowing your child to fully explore certain subjects and experience the joy of learning.
Sean Lyon is the Center Director at the Kumon Math & Reading Center of Chelsea. To get your child enrolled in a program that uses an engaging and proven method, go to kumon.com to learn more about the opportunities that await your child. Registration is free during the month of June at participating centers.
