The summer slide is known as the period of time throughout the summer when children lose their school knowledge from the previous year. The best way to combat the summer slide is to ensure children spend time every day practising their literacy skills. Spending at least 15 minutes a day doing a learning activity such as following a recipe, playing a board game or even visiting a park together as a family can help beat the summer slide.
ABC Life Literacy Canada has a large selection of free family literacy resources and activities available to help combat the summer slide. Check out these perfect summer activities from the Family Literacy First program:
- My Perfect Campground: Design the perfect campground for you and your family with this creative worksheet.
- My Family Tree: Every family is different. What does your family look like? Draw your family tree using this template.
- Going on a Camping Trip: Learn and sing this campfire chant about camping.
- Finger Puppet Zoo: Have you ever wanted your own zoo? Create finger puppets of your favourite zoo animals!
- Baking Times Two: Practice math and numeracy during this delicious recipe for cookies.
- A Trip to the Amusement Park: Read a fun summer-themed story!
- Fruit Basket Dance: Moving around is good for you. So is using your imagination. This activity will help you do both while thinking about something else that’s good for you — fruit!
- What I see under the sea: Learn about popular things and animals that live under the sea.
- Ways to Earn Income: What summer jobs can you do to make money? Learn about your options as well as why income is important in life.
- Constellation Connection: Practice drawing stars that you see in the sky, like The Big Dipper and Equuleus.
These activities are just some of the many family literacy activities available at FamilyLiteracyFirst.ca. Access more than 100 fun family learning tools. Resources are available in English, French, Arabic, Tagalog and Simplified Chinese.
Family Literacy First is a free program created by ABC Life Literacy Canada to bring parents and children together to practice family literacy.
