School of Thought

By Etti Siegel

Dear Readers, Thank you for your emails of encouragement and trusting me with your letters asking for some insight and advice. I hope they have helped you understand the perspective from behind the teacher’s desk. School and home should be working hand in hand for the betterment of the children, and when there is communication and mutual respect, so much more can be accomplished.

As the school year draws to a close, this column also draws to a close, and I hope to be back with the return of the new school year, iy”H. Feel free to still send in your questions and thoughts on what you would like addressed, and I will publish that communication after the summer be”H.

“Summer slide” is a term bandied about a lot, and in the halls of academia, its veracity is up for discussion. Do children lose a lot of the year’s learning over the long summer break? How much do they forget? Some research points to the fact that it is considered healthy to forget some information as it strengthens the brain to relearn the facts more concretely and retain the information even better (“Why Forget? On the Adaptive Value of Memory Loss,” 2015). Children with learning disabilities might lose more learning than children who do not struggle academically and might need more formal learning over the summer. Children with no access to resources might lose more knowledge than those with access to learning (any academically minded activities).

Please remember how hard your children worked and that they need a vacation. At the same time, please keep in mind that no one benefits from complete a shut down. Learning does not have to be formal, through school and sitting for hours on end. The best learning happens from curiosity and wonder.

Though there are debates back and forth in the ivory towers of higher learning, anecdotally in my experience and of many teachers I have spoken with, it does seem that children who used their brain over the summer (though reading, writing, having conversations with adults, gardening, sightseeing, making carnivals and lemonade stands) do seem to have an edge over children who spent the summer passively in front of screens and video games.

But the learning over the summer does not have to be rigorous. One thing everyone in education understands is that learning happens much more slowly during the summer break. The energy of the school year is not there to spur higher learning to happen. And I believe this is a good thing.

Summer vacation is important. Children should get a break from rigorous school learning, but children should not get a break from learning.

The Shabbos table is never more important as it is during the summer. Parsha might have to be taught though storytelling, games, and treats.

Most children go to camp, but there are still many hours to fill once day campers come home.

Every outing and interaction can be seen as an opportunity. Shopping with a list helps children assist you as you fill your cart.

Can the children go on a nature walk? I used to take my grandchildren on a daily scavenger hunt. We made a list of what we might see (dogs, roses, squirrels, smart cars, bicycles, people wearing hats…) and then went to count and mark down what we found as we walked.

Cooking and baking is a chance for younger children to (pretend to) help in the kitchen and older children (as soon as they can read) to try their hand at easy and not-so-easy recipes.

Gardening is another wonderful activity that lets children take responsibility and feel pride and learn as they interact with nature – weeding, planting, watering, and caring for plants and vegetables.

Borrow ideas from carnivals and preschools – let the children decorate cupcakes, shave the balloon (with popsicle sticks rather than actual razor blades), find items in rice or sand, and create their own fun.

Create a maker’s space! This is a free-for all activity table with all kinds of items available, like colored paper, scissors, glue, staplers and staples, and more. With no directions and samples, children can create whatever they want. Adding paint, popsicle sticks, stickers, and pipe cleaners just adds to the fun. Make as few rules as possible, make sure children know about safety, and let them create! Plastic disposable tablecloths and smocks or garbage bags made into smocks are advised. Some children might watch for a while and then join as they feel more comfortable. Obstacle courses are fun to create and even more fun to do. Climbing, jumping, riding a bike from one point to another before twiring to the next station; there is no limit to the fun one can create for this activity.

There are so many ideas! I could fill pages listing them.

Most of all, remember that summer ends. So enjoy the more relaxed schedule, embrace the mess and endless wet laundry, and celebrate the change of pace. School will resume before you know it! Have a wonderful summer, -Etti