| I have seen advertisements on television for various | | | | them to find a good one. You want reading to be a |
| tutoring services that say our children loose a good | | | | good experience for them and reading will, without |
| portion of what they learn during the summer. Do you | | | | question, promote brain activity. |
| think that is true and how do I keep that from | | | | Some other things you can do in the car could be: |
| happening? | | | | 1. The ABC game. We all played this as a child. |
| We probably can guess that most children forget a lot | | | | 2. Listen to a story on CD instead of watching a |
| of what they learned in the previous year during the | | | | movie. |
| summer. But I have to admit, I forget what I learned last | | | | 3. Play pictionary. |
| month! I think the main thing we need to be aware of is | | | | 4. Get younger kids to rhyme with you. |
| making sure our children's brains stay active. That is | | | | 5. Tell a group story - have someone start a story |
| the hard part. It is very easy to let them sit in front of | | | | with a sentence they everyone adds on to it. |
| the computer or in front of the television and not | | | | 6. Calculate miles to go. |
| exercise the muscles in their brain. Here are some tips | | | | 7. Keep track of where you are going on the map. |
| to help keep your children from becoming brain dead | | | | Highlight it as you go. |
| this summer. Then when they forget what they | | | | You can also do some mathematic type activities to |
| learned, they will be able to retrieve it quickly with a | | | | promote brain activity. Try giving your child play money |
| strong brain. | | | | and they have to buy things from you. It can be |
| If you do not want to put your child in a "school" type | | | | snacks. I have seen where folks charge a lot for sugar |
| setting to promote brain activity during the summer, try | | | | snacks and healthy snacks are less expensive and so |
| to do some simple question and answer type | | | | they have to make a decision to save their money or |
| conversations with them. When they watch a movie | | | | spend it as they get it. You can have them purchase |
| ask some of the following questions: | | | | movies. You can have them purchase a free pass |
| 1. What was the show/movie about? | | | | from a chore. It can be play money or real money - it |
| 2. Did you like the ending? Why? | | | | is up to you. They will enjoy it either way. You can also |
| 3. Who do you think was the main character of the | | | | try and give them a few bucks and go to garage |
| movie? | | | | sales. Talk about what are good things to buy and |
| 4. What in the movie was the problem they had to | | | | what are not so good. Also take them with you to the |
| deal with? | | | | grocery store with their own list. Have them cook with |
| 5. How would you switch the ending? | | | | you as well. Measuring and counting are great brain |
| All of these questions and more are ones they work | | | | activities. In the pool have them see which items sink |
| on in school for comprehending. Just get in the habit of | | | | faster. Which items can be thrown further. How long |
| asking those questions. | | | | does it take for an item to sink. Does it sink better |
| Also, take your child to the library. It is a cool, free | | | | when you throw it in the pool or lay it in the pool? |
| place to go and they may not love to read but we all | | | | Great pool science activities. |
| love "getting something new" and the library makes it | | | | There are many more that you can do, these are just |
| feel like you are getting something new. The nice thing | | | | a few. You just need to take the time this summer to |
| about the library as opposed to purchasing books to | | | | engage your child's brain. Just talk to them, ask them |
| increase brain activity is that you have to return them | | | | questions. Enable them to critically think. It doesn't have |
| by a certain date, so they you have to go back. It is a | | | | to be with pen and paper. Remember to provide |
| good thing to do on a regular basis and who knows | | | | opportunities for your children to learn at all times. You |
| you may develop a love of reading for your child. Help | | | | want to develop their minds to enjoy learning. It will |
| them find books they will be interested in. Don't just | | | | make a healthy adult! |
| send them in the room of tons of books and expect | | | | |