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Friday, August 29, 2008

Fighting the summer brain drain

Updated 06/26/2008 08:42 AM

By: Heather Waliga

UNC Charlotte is working to help stop summer learning loss with programs like a math camp which is currently under way.

CHARLOTTE -- Some students out of school could already be suffering from the summer brain drain.

The Nellie Mae Education Foundation estimates students can forget up to 60 percent of what they learned during the school year during summer. While it’s important to give kids a chance to relax and recharge, there are a few simple things you can do to keep their minds fresh.

UNC Charlotte is working to help stop summer learning loss with programs like a math camp which is currently under way. The summer drain can mean an academic setback which could take weeks to remedy in the fall.

Summer Forgetfulness

Some students out of school could already be suffering from the summer brain drain.

“What is addition, what is multiplication, they remember those. They may not remembers that two plus two is four in the second grade,” said David Royster, director of the Center for Math, Science and Technology Education at UNCC.

Royster says it’s simple skills that students tend to forget, but says that learning shouldn’t come down to just books. “Hands on learning is extremely important,” he said. “It tends to help students learn better.”

A game of kickball or even a hand of cards can help stimulate the mind.

Fighting the summer brain drain

As a parents, you can help stop the summer brain drain by doing things like reading with your kids or doing activities that involved counting – like cooking.

1. Keep lots of books around and make regular trips to the library. Most libraries schedule special summer events for kids. Sign up your family!

2. Think about what your kids may be learning next year when you plan the family vacation. Talk with teachers to find out what they'll be covering in class. If it's a unit on the civil war for example, you may want to schedule a visit to Gettysburg. If it's geology, visit a national park.

3. Keep math in mind. Since kids lose more math skills than anything else over the summer, try to do some special planning to find math-related activities. For example, if you can't decide whether to sign your child up for "Shakespeare's Theater" or "Math Magic" at the local community center, go with the math.

4. Consider summer school or tutoring. Struggling kids can get a lot of different kinds of help from these programs. Summer school can also enrich and accelerate learning in areas where kids show a special interest.

5. Call the curriculum coordinator in your child's school district, visit the school board office, or contact the schools of education at local colleges and universities to find out what educational programs will be offered in your area over the summer.

Remember to keep it fun! You don't want to sour your kids on learning during the summer break.

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