IGNITE Summer 2018 | Page 15

How should schools prevent this learning loss from happening? Teachers can encourage parents to adopt a “use it or lose it” approach, engaging their kids with learning activities that incorporate science, technology, engineering, arts, or mathematics. Here are five activities you can pass on to parents to help minimize summer brain drain: 1 INCORPORATING READING AND WRITING INTO EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES. 2 HELPING KIDS CREATE THEIR OWN BLOG OR CHANNEL. 3 CREATING A DIGITAL SCAVENGER HUNT. 4 COOKING WITH THE KIDS. 5 TRACKING A GARDEN’S GROWTH. Reading and writing don’t have to feel like homework. Kids can use pre-stamped, pre- addressed post cards to write notes to family members. Grocery shopping can become a game in which kids write out the grocery list, then race to fill the cart. Parents can even allow for extra TV time — with the sound off and subtitles on. Blogging and vlogging are great outlets for kids to express themselves — and great opportunities to practice writing, communicating, and even basic coding. Parents should help their children pick the right platform and establish important habits for staying safe online. Whether digital or traditional, scavenger hunts are a fun way to get everyone in the family working together to explore their surroundings. Parents can choose from several free scavenger hunt apps, including some specifically designed for traveling — perfect for keeping kids engaged while on vacation. Recipes provide the perfect example of fractions in action. Parents can encourage their children to read recipes out loud and measure the ingredients. For an added challenge, kids can break each measurement into smaller units: one cup of flour equals two scoops of a 1/2-cup scoop, three from a 1/3-cup scoop, and so on. Rather than simply watching or watering plants, kids can take part in the gardening process by keeping a summer garden journal. Parents can encourage their children to record questions, observations, and measurements, then share their latest updates over dinner. 15