“Summertime…and the livin’ is easy.” Well, at least that’s what your kids are hoping for when they finally finish their last day of school. But then they receive that dreaded summer homework list, which can mean anything from assigned readings to math problems and complex projects. This can also mean headaches for parents who are trying to balance a fun summer with making sure their kids don’t fall behind on assignments.
Summer homework began when the “summer slide” research emerged that showed how kids can lose progress in reading and math over summer break. According to Scholastic, this can compound as they experience skill losses each year, especially for children in grades 3-5.
How To Tackle Summer Homework
Whether your child has books to read or several projects to complete, make a plan to help them tackle it. As noted by Educational Connections, first, give your child a break in the beginning of the summer, but don’t wait too long to begin that work. It may be helpful to ask them how and when they want to handle their work. Additionally, ask them what the expectations are for each project. Giving them a say and part of the plan can mean more buy-in from your child.
Formulate a Long-Term Plan
“Help them formulate a (realistic) plan with their input, and they’ll but much more likely to follow it and not end up in the last-minute rush [in August] trying to get their summer work done,” said Educational Connections.
If your child is able to choose which summer homework activity they complete, whether it’s from a book list or project choice, allow them to do what they want. As long as they are reading or working, that should be enough.
Try Short-Term Plans
GradePower Learning also recommends developing a weekly plan, taking into consideration the other plans your child has that summer.
“Think about which assignments will take the longest and what your child will need to complete them during the summer. Break these larger assignments into a series of goals that need to be met to complete the project. Examples of goals include ‘read two chapters per week or ‘write essay introduction by July 15th,’” said GradePower Learning.
Gather Supplies
Get a list of supplies like notebooks, pens, pencils and required readings that you can take with you on vacations or other getaways. Time in the car or before bed can mean fitting in some extra reading or math problems. Arrange a “homework/play” date with a friend a couple of times over the summer so they can have fun while completing work.
Check in weekly or bi-weekly with your child to assess their progress and make sure they are not falling behind schedule. Finally, reward completed goals and assignments with a fun treat or experience. After all, summer should be fun break for children and not just extend the school year.
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