At the conclusion of each school year, parents and teachers are always concerned about students being affected by brain drain during the summer break, and that’s not an imaginary problem. During the two to three months of summer break, students experience a significant learning loss of one month. It takes the first six weeks of school for children to relearn the material that disappeared from their brains over the summer.
As adults, we should remember what it was like to be children. Time passes more slowly for children, so what adults may perceive as a relatively short couple of months can feel much longer to young students. Over summer break, it does take a bit of work to avoid brain drain.
Young brains are pliable, so it doesn’t take much to keep a child’s gray matter occupied and prepared for the new school year, keeping them just as smart as they were on the last day of class.
Summer can be a busy time, but parents can keep kids engaged by involving them in household activities like cooking, gardening, and even shopping. If those activities don’t seem stimulating enough, challenge kids with fun math and science riddles while they’re in the car or sitting around the house.
On those days when there doesn’t seem to be much to do, set aside an hour each day for some thought-provoking projects that will keep kids thinking. Here are few ideas:
- Arts and Crafts: Get Creative Over Summer Break
Summer vacation may be short, but here are a bunch of exciting crafts and activities for kids and adults alike. The best part? Many of these projects require supplies you likely already have at home.
- Engage in Fun and Educational S.T.E.M. Projects
S.T.E.M. projects are not only educational but also incredibly fun. With just a few inexpensive supplies, kids can embark on exciting adventures. They can construct a crystal suncatcher, make giant soap bubbles, create a sundial, or make rock candy. These projects not only teach valuable lessons but also spark their curiosity and imagination.
- Create a Photo Scrapbook
As parents, you’ll probably take thousands of photos over the course of the summer. Instead of letting them pile up on our phones or in the cloud, why not create a cherished photo scrapbook with your children? Go through the photos together and have kids select the ones that best capture the essence of their summer. Print these priceless memories and let the kids create their own scrapbook. With minimal supplies needed, this activity will provide them with a tangible keepsake that they can treasure for years to come.
- Visit Museums
Between Phoenix and Tucson, there are plenty of top-notch museums that are fun and educational for kids and parents.
- Children’s Museum of Phoenix and Children’s Museum Tucson and Oro Valley
- Arizona Science Center in Phoenix
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson
- OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale
- Flandrau Science Center andPlanetarium in Tucson
- Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix
- Reid Park Zoo in Tucson
- Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix
- Tucson Botanical Gardens in Tucson
For more traditional activities, parents can try introducing board games; if their child is only familiar with electronic games, this could be a real eye-opener. Alternatively, check out the Phoenix or Pima County libraries; they often host fun activities. Or, pack the kids in the car and take a drive somewhere new.
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Summer break is only about two months long, and some of that time may be spent on family vacations. If parents could dedicate just an hour or two each day to keeping their child’s brain active, it will pay off when classes resume for the 2025-2026 school year. Plus, you might be able to tire the little ones out so they don’t mind going to bed early once in a while.
