Summer presents a learning curve

Even though their school backpacks may not be completely cleaned out yet, the Von Heydekampf girls -- Olivia, 12; Elizabeth, 11, and Valentina, 9 -- are getting ready to tackle a list of at-home summer learning projects created especially for them by their mom, Kelli.A sampling of the activities on the Edina mom's list include: "Do a YouTube video of how to do laundry correctly; report on one newspaper article per day; plan a meal from start to finish -- grocery shopping to cleaning up; instead of arguing over permission about something you want to do, make a Power Point presentation on why you should be allowed to do it; write a letter to someone who is important in your life and tell the person why."

"I think summer is for hands-on activities that show kids life skills," said Von Heydekampf. "We need to show them how their school skills match up with life skills. Summer is the perfect time to do that."

Keeping kids engaged in all kinds of learning over the summer can be challenging for parents, but according to experts, it is important to keep those young brains turned on and not tuned out in front of the television or with video games.

"Summer slide really can happen for kids," said Traci Gauer, director of alternative learning programs for the St. Paul Public Schools. "It's important for kids to have a fun and busy summer, but we want to keep them learning at the same time."

In the St. Paul and Minneapolis school districts, many students struggling with proficiency in math and reading will be attending six-week summer school sessions, with both programs including hands-on learning opportunities.

In St. Paul, middle school students can take a comic book creation class, in addition to their math and reading sessions. In Minneapolis, several fifth- through seventh-graders will participate in a program based on a study of the Mississippi River, complete with a canoe trip.

"We have really worked on making our summer school curriculum more fun and more hands-on," said Janis Braaten, area learning center coordinator for Minneapolis Public Schools.

Bennice Young, principal at Elizabeth Hall International Elementary School in Minneapolis, said her primary message to parents looking for ways to enhance summer learning always focuses on reading, with an emphasis on the value of visiting local public libraries.

"If there is no structure at all during the summer days for kids, I strongly encourage parents to keep structure around reading," she said. "Set aside a time of the day when kids can become engaged in reading something they are excited about. Have a simple conversation with them about what they are reading. This really helps the child recognize themselves as a reader."

Young is also a fan of the Museum Adventure Pass, available for checkout at area libraries, allowing free admission for up to two people at local museums such as the Bakken Museum, Minnesota History Center and the Walker Art Center.

"Even by taking kids to places like this just once or twice a month, it helps the child build background knowledge that is so critically important," said Young. "They have the chance to experience hands-on learning and begin to understand the world in an authentic way. Children are definitely at an advantage when they have that store of knowledge they have gained outside of school."

For today's overscheduled kids, summer also provides another opportunity that can make a big difference. Playing in the back yard or at the park, spending time with friends (in person, not in front of the computer) or just doing nothing can be valuable, too.