Want your kids to continue learning during the summer? Or at least not experience “brain drain and complain” when they get back to the new school year? Whether you want to avoid the brain drain and complain routine or want to give your kids a head start, you are smart to be thinking about it. According to Oxford Learning, research into summer learning shows that students can lose up to 30% of their academic skills over the summer break. 
30% – you read that right!
If you are sold, your summer nanny can help with the task. Your next question is likely how to go about it without her becoming the summer party-pooper. You don’t want her to be the nag who is always banging on about learning when the kids are dying to have fun. And it does not have to be that way! Keep reading to be “schooled” on how to make summer learning fun and easy.
Technology – If you can’t beat them, join them!
If it is a constant battle to get your kids away from their screens, it is time to change your battle plan! There are many “screen options” that will please both you and your kids. There are a variety of Online Summer Camps that offer a range of choices from basic reading to coding, programming and game design. Online and Summer and Camps – oh my! Coding and programming and game design – oh yes!
And then there are apps, more apps and even more apps. Check out World of Madagascar, put out by JumpStart and DreamWorks (yes that Dreamworks!), which works on language arts and math skills with the help of some penguins. Or try GALXYZ, that provides adventure and keeps your kids interest in science all at once. And there is Scribblenauts Remix (spelling), Rush Hour (Strategy), Math Monsters (math!), and more!
Driving Holidays = Turn boredom into Learning Opportunities
You no longer have to listen to “Are we there yet?!” when doing the long drives that often come with family summer holidays. All the “screen options” above are great for the car as well as home. But good old fashioned pen and paper work too. Pinterest has many “printables” such as games like alphabet bingo in addition to a number of summer learning activities, reading lists for different age groups and summer learning schedules. Get your summer nanny involved in driving game planing.
Hiding in Plain Site – Learning in Disguise
I once heard of a school that offered a period of “alternative study” every January. One week for the younger students and three weeks for the older students. Instead of taking a math class, students would study money management; or rather than the usual history course, students would focus on a “fun” period like the 1960’s with an unusual curriculum. It was a hit with the students, teachers and parents.
You can do the same thing at home. You do not have to doing boring math worksheets with your kids; get your summer nanny practice their math by being in charge of the “running total” when at the shops, working out the measurements when making cupcakes, working out distances using a map or figuring out how much money they have in their accounts. Crack reading comprehension by getting your kids to read and explain the sites when visiting a historical monument or museum.
You are not alone – Many other Summer Nannies are helping with Summer Learning
And everyone can help make your kids summer learning both effective and fun – parents, grandparents, siblings, babysitters and nannies. What? You are looking for a babysitter or nanny to help with the kids the summer. You have come to the right place!
SOSitter.ca is a Canadian portal designed to help you find local caregivers in your area, easily and quickly. The summer nanny who is right for your family is only a click away.