Summer is usually a time when many kids lose all of the learning that they have accumulated over the year and start the year at a deficit. This can be especially an issue for kids who are learning a second language, as they can struggle to remember basic words and sentences when school starts again in the fall. Read below to learn some easy ways to help your child maintain his or her language skills when school isn’t in session so the next school year can start off on the right foot. If you’re interested in your child continuing to hone his or her language skills throughout the summer, contact Crossing Borders International Preschool! We offer several summer classes and camps that will be sure to help your kiddo maintain and even improve his or her knowledge. Give us a call to learn more about our immersion preschool today!
Set Times to Speak Throughout the Day
Conversation is key, and if your child doesn’t speak for months, he or she may forget how to form a complete sentence in his or her second language. If your child is learning Spanish, try finding some age-appropriate Spanish TV shows to watch during the day. If you’re going on vacation, you can also make a playlist of favorite songs in Spanish to listen to together. One of the best ways to preserve what was learned over the year is to go over flashcards together, watch a movie that’s completely in the target language, or even set up a conversation club with other speakers to practice listening to and speaking the language. Repetition and exposure is key in these instances.
Purchase Grammar and Vocabulary Practice Books
This may end up being your child’s least favorite activity, but your kiddo will truly benefit from practicing language grammar and vocabulary during the day. Offer fun rewards to incentivise learning, and do your best to be involved to help him or her learn the proper tenses, pronunciation, and descriptors for optimal growth. Aim to complete a few worksheets or exercises a day.
Download Apps
Help your child enjoy working through language exercises by downloading language apps on your phone, tablet, or computer. Not only will your kiddo have fun playing the games, but he or she will be able to practice language skills through a fun and interactive way. This is especially effective if you’re traveling, as your child can learn and grow in language skills and comprehension while on the go! There are plenty of amazing and well-made language apps out there, so download a couple to help your son or daughter increase his or her learning through fun and games. You may even enjoy using them yourself!
Practice Reading
If your kiddo loves to read, try purchasing a few easy-to-understand books in the target language to help him or her increase understanding and cognition of the language. You can also choose a few books or short stories that he or she has already read and enjoyed to help him or her focus on the language instead of the story, then tackle other books or short stories that he or she hasn’t read yet to increase the challenge of understanding the language while reading a new story. Reading will also help teach your family grammar and vocabulary in a different setting than a textbook or worksheet.
Help your child maintain his or her learning throughout the summer with these tips, and sign up for one of our summer camps or after-school classes to help him or her learn even more! Call us today to enroll!
