Comments on: Summer Learning: Missed Opportunities, Unmet Demand http://whatworks.wholechildeducation.org/blog/summer-learning-missed-opportunities-unmet-demand/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:52:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Will Your Students Keep Learning This Summer? http://whatworks.wholechildeducation.org/blog/summer-learning-missed-opportunities-unmet-demand/comment-page-1/#comment-7318 Will Your Students Keep Learning This Summer? Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:02:51 +0000 http://blog.wholechildeducation.org/?p=1151#comment-7318 [...] on the Whole Child blog last week, Jessica Cameron shared a post by the Afterschool Alliance called Summer Learning: Missed Opportunities and Unmet Demand that includes a link to a recent study on the issue, and the Whole Child podcast this month [...] [...] on the Whole Child blog last week, Jessica Cameron shared a post by the Afterschool Alliance called Summer Learning: Missed Opportunities and Unmet Demand that includes a link to a recent study on the issue, and the Whole Child podcast this month [...]

]]> By: Christine Johnson-Staub http://whatworks.wholechildeducation.org/blog/summer-learning-missed-opportunities-unmet-demand/comment-page-1/#comment-7317 Christine Johnson-Staub Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:24:39 +0000 http://blog.wholechildeducation.org/?p=1151#comment-7317 I mostly agree with you Tabitha, but have to add that lots of recreational or play activities are also learning activities for kids. Unfortunately I think learning loss is the biggest problem for kids whose parents can't afford or don't provide structured learning activities, like the ones you're talking about, nor do they have safe opportunities to go out and explore their worlds, in nature or with other kids, play music, make up games, etc. I mostly agree with you Tabitha, but have to add that lots of recreational or play activities are also learning activities for kids. Unfortunately I think learning loss is the biggest problem for kids whose parents can’t afford or don’t provide structured learning activities, like the ones you’re talking about, nor do they have safe opportunities to go out and explore their worlds, in nature or with other kids, play music, make up games, etc.

]]> By: Tabitha Krueger http://whatworks.wholechildeducation.org/blog/summer-learning-missed-opportunities-unmet-demand/comment-page-1/#comment-7285 Tabitha Krueger Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:50:23 +0000 http://blog.wholechildeducation.org/?p=1151#comment-7285 My son made a comment yesterday that really hit home for me as a teacher and a parent. He said, "Mom, why do I have to do this learning activity and this reading during my summer break. Summer is a time for fun!" Now, this is a child that lives in an environment where we are constantly learning and working to be the best we can be. I can assure you that most of the children in America feel this very same way. They think that because they are not in a school environment and required to study and learn that it is not necessary. In my community, I know of a few learning facilitated camps at our local recreation institutions. I also know that there are daycare settings in my community that try to impliment some type of study program. However, for the most part I believe that it is left up to the parents. Unfortunately for my son, he has a mother who is an educator and understands the value of summer learning. So, he will spend time each day reading and completing learning activites with our family. I hope that at the end of the summer he has a different comment regarding the learning that took place. As a teacher, I know that this type of summer learning only takes place in a small percentage of American homes. Most children do spend each day playing video games, watching television, playing on the computer, playing or talking to friends, or just being bored at home. This is the reason that teachers spend the first few months of a new school year retraining students on how to be hard working, enthusiastic learners. We have to review basic content, rules and procedures, organizational skills, and study habits for weeks to get them back in learning mode. Every community could benefit from a summer learning program where students are engaged in activities to improve social and academic needs. I would love to hear about these kinds of programs around the United States, and encourage my community to participate. My son made a comment yesterday that really hit home for me as a teacher and a parent. He said, “Mom, why do I have to do this learning activity and this reading during my summer break. Summer is a time for fun!” Now, this is a child that lives in an environment where we are constantly learning and working to be the best we can be.

I can assure you that most of the children in America feel this very same way. They think that because they are not in a school environment and required to study and learn that it is not necessary.

In my community, I know of a few learning facilitated camps at our local recreation institutions. I also know that there are daycare settings in my community that try to impliment some type of study program. However, for the most part I believe that it is left up to the parents.

Unfortunately for my son, he has a mother who is an educator and understands the value of summer learning. So, he will spend time each day reading and completing learning activites with our family. I hope that at the end of the summer he has a different comment regarding the learning that took place.

As a teacher, I know that this type of summer learning only takes place in a small percentage of American homes. Most children do spend each day playing video games, watching television, playing on the computer, playing or talking to friends, or just being bored at home. This is the reason that teachers spend the first few months of a new school year retraining students on how to be hard working, enthusiastic learners. We have to review basic content, rules and procedures, organizational skills, and study habits for weeks to get them back in learning mode.

Every community could benefit from a summer learning program where students are engaged in activities to improve social and academic needs. I would love to hear about these kinds of programs around the United States, and encourage my community to participate.

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