PHOTO BY SCOTT ANDERSON
Abby Brown, 7, and her mother Michelle look at a map of the trails at Starved Rock State Park. When it comes to county forest preserves, city parks, and state parks, there is a whole world out there left to explore, which will help kids learn. They can fish, hike, learn how to identify trees and plants, watch birds, and camp.
Prevent the Summer Slide Keep Kids Learning When School Is Out By Ali Braboy
T
he hot summer months are here, but that doesn’t mean kids have to choose between having fun and learning. It’s possible to accomplish both if parents are willing to put in some homework of their own. Over the summer, students can lose up to 60 percent of the math and reading skills they learned during the year, according to Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of chil-
4 July 2021 | Illinois Valley Parent | A NewsTribune Publication
dren’s books. Those who are involved with students’ learning in the Illinois Valley gave tips on how kids can continue learning this summer. AVOID THE SUMMER SLIDE AND ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO READ Research shows children who read very little or not at all during the summer months can hit the summer slide, which is where children lose their read-
