Did you know that expert studies show that kids can lose ground in math and other areas if they do not engage in learning activities over the summer? School is almost out and I have been worried about how to keep my kids reading at home. Luckily, I have found wonderful, FREE educational resources we can use from PBS Kids and Education.com. I want to share them with you – they look like a lot of fun!
Based on a Ready to Learn grant from the Dept. of Education, PBS KIDS has developed educational and fun games, apps and printable activity sheets, just in time for summer learning. You can download those for FREE at PBS KIDS Read.
PBS KIDS has also joined with Education.com to create do-it-yourself “reading camp” materials for kids to use at home this summer, available for free at Education.com Summer Reading. The Reading Camp includes everything you need for 10 weeks of reading at home. There is a different theme for every week!
And for Math skills, kids can visit the PBS Kids Lab! My kids already love going to PBSKids.org and playing educational games during the school year. I plan to set aside a little bit of time every day this summer for them to practice their reading and math skills online. They enjoy learning on the computer, and I do not have to stress out about how to teach them. (I really like that part!)
How do you keep your child reading during summer vacation? What are some of their favorite books to read? Do you visit the library? Do they have a favorite learning app or website? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Shari G says
My boys love reading! Thanks for the tips!
Charlene S says
Read everyday. Thanks for sharing this info.
Sarah L says
Our libraries have summer reading programs that the kids love.
Julie Wood says
I think that this is such a great program to get kids to read in the summer. Learning to read is so important, and to keep up with reading in the summer is very important!
Robin O says
We visit the library every week during the summer and usually find some great books to read on our own. I need to look into more apps and websites as well.
I will check out the Education.com Summer Reading materials.
Patricia Hoffmeiser says
Summer reading programs are great. Children lose a lot during summer vacation.
Jill A. Collins says
Reading is so important to children having the best possible start in life. So glad you posted this as I believe parents can use all the resources they can get to help instill a love of reading year round in their kids.
Shani F. says
Thank you for sharing this resource. I have a reluctant reader so this will give me some ideas. I also like all the theme-related activities.
Janet W. says
What a nice program to help encourage reading at home during the summer!
md kennedy says
When I was little the local library had a reading contest every summer – oh, for those days! That would make it so much easier to get the kids to read while on vacation.
Robin Wilson says
I think that this is an absolutely fantastic way to encourage children to read any time! I was lucky that my son has always love to read and still does. He devours them. But we always encouraged programs like this and read with him. Thanks for passing this on!
Laura O in AK says
I love anything for the kids that’s free and ‘good’ for them. My boys are already asking when they can register for the summer reading programs at our libraries.