MAKING SUMMER BREAK WORTHWHILE FOR CHILDREN

JUDITH H. PINEDA

Graduation, commencement and moving up exercises are over and it’s summer and vacation time for students!

But should learning stop altogether with the summer break? Of course not! So, engage children to be part of special programs that will allow them to enjoy while learning.

Summer programs for children can provide many benefits, like supporting consistent achievement of developmental milestones, improving social skills through continued contact with other children and adults, providing a positive outlet for energy and emotions, and decreasing the “summer slide” which negatively impacts learning.

The need for quality summer programs for children is getting more attention, as such programs help bridge the summer educational gap.

In the past, summer learning was associated with low-achieving students sitting through hours of “catch-up” material while their higher-achieving friends enjoyed carefree hours of summer leisure. But today, summer learning programs exist in many different forms and are based on purpose, provider, requirements for attendance, length and setting.

Together, the combined efforts of those who teach children will result in improved access to quality summer programs that benefit all by making the most of the summer months.

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The author is Teacher I at Dila-Dila Elementary School, Sta. Rita, Pampanga