We are quickly approaching the end of the school year across the state and now is the time to begin the discussion about what your students’ summer should look like. Growing up in Gary, Indiana in the 1980s my dad would tell me “You’re not going to sit around all summer, we need to find you something to do.” Although times have changed, you cannot allow your student to sit around all summer on video games, hanging out, or on social media. Learning loss is a real thing when it comes to students becoming disconnected during summer break. Regardless of their age and grade, parents should be heavily involved in planning out their student’s summer break. The summer planning should include literacy, safety, relationship management and academics.
Literacy
Your student must read during the summer, and you should join them. A family book study is a great way to spark conversation, build comprehension skills and help your student improve their communication. Joining your student in summer reading sets a great example of how important it is as an adult to continue to learn and read. I recommend allowing your student to choose the book the family will read together to gain their interest and buy-in. Create a schedule and timeline for discussions and completion of the book study. This strategy will help your student create reading habits that help them complete books in a timely fashion and build their reading stamina.
Safety
We cannot ignore the world we live in and how we must be mindful as parents to talk with our student about staying safe. Gun violence is an unfortunate part of our society and city, and every parent should sit down and discuss ways your student can remain safe this summer. Talk with your student about the Indianapolis curfew laws and consider creating an earlier one for your family. Help your student understand areas and places to avoid and what to do if something happens. These discussions will help your student have a foundation of how to protect themselves throughout the summer and have a game plan in the instance something happens. We all want our students to have fun and enjoy their summer, but we want them to do it safely.
Relationship Management
Regardless of your student’s age or grade, it is important that they understand how to have healthy relationships at school with classmates, teachers and administrators. The summertime is a great window of opportunity to help your student grow in this area. Find safe social opportunities for your student throughout the summer that allow them to work on social skills such as collaboration, advocacy and problem solving. All three skills are important in a student’s life and important skills that will carry over into their personal lives. Help your student understand their triggers and develop a plan to respond. Students who are strong in these areas have a better school experience and develop important life skills.
Academics
Your student cannot step completely away from their academics during the summer. I’m sure you believe students need a break, and I agree, but they cannot afford to take the entire summer off from academics. Discuss with your student a class or subject area they want to improve on for the next school year and then begin to plan accordingly. I am an advocate for summer tutoring, in person or virtually, to help students build academic confidence going into the next school year. Exposing your student to content from the next grade, without the pressure of homework, grades, and classroom distractions, can give your student an advantage entering the school year. Utilize online programs such as IXL.com that allow students to access content in math, science, language arts and history at their own pace.
Planning a summer filled with fun, reading, social opportunities and academics may not be the norm for many families, but it is necessary. As parents and families, it is our job to stay heavily involved in the growth of our students and a well-planned summer can help your student in many areas before the start of the next school year.
